Das Leben der Anderen (spoiler-free)

[tiggymalvern]

This afternoon we went to see The Lives of Others, which by the time I write this has won tonight's Best Foreign Film Oscar. And all I can say is it damn well deserves it.

This film is psychological drama perfection. Set in East Germany, it's the story of a writer/actor couple, their friends, and the small group of Stasi who have them under surveillance. It feels a little slow to get going, because it spends time establishing situations and circumstances and relationships between these groups of people before everything starts to play out. But when it reels you in, it does so relentlessly, enthrallingly, binding these people and the outcomes of every decision into inevitability and overwhelming but always underplayed drama.

There isn't a single wasted moment in this film. Every scene has a point, something to add to these people and their motivations, not a lost second of screen time. And nor is there anything missing - everything and everyone makes sense as a character, with their reasons and their logic and sympathies. It's simply one of the tightest films I've seen in a long time, and it does all of it through dialogue and acting and direction. Proof if anyone still needs it that you don't need action to make a film.

Comments

[teaforme.livejournal.com]

I wish I could have joined you. I was entertaining an out-of-town guest. Perhaps I'll try to go on my own. It's been a while since I've seen a film. Or, perhaps I'll invite the new man I'm seeing to go with me. :-)

[tiggymalvern.livejournal.com]

It really is good stuff - not a conventional date movie, but then you're not a conventional dater, and far better for it :-)

I'm glad you're feeling better about this new guy - he sounds like he's worth giving a chance, especially if you're feeling the chemistry kick back into place. Have fun!