"Wenn der Vater mit dem Sohne" or "If the Father and the Son" is a West German 90-minute movie from over 60 years ago. The director here is Hans Quest, but the real star is obviously Heinz Rühmann. He was already over 50 at this point and if you know a bit about him, then you will know that at this point the time when he made 100% comedy films was already long over. Here he plays a man who takes care of a young boy and treats him as if he was his real dad. Complications ensue when the real parents do arrive at some point. Rühmann's character lost his real child when he was considerably younger and the boy called Ulli serves somehow as a replacement and it is a relationship that helps them both a lot and keeps them from being alone, especially Rühmann's character.
The film runs for slightly over 90 minutes and Rühmann is in practically every scene. I think the story and also his character have occasional weaknesses, but he makes up for it thanks to his talent and charisma. Very deserved German Film Award nomination for Rühmann. I must say they took a brave decision with the ending as the German cinema of the 1950s is known for being totally into happy endings and harmony and maybe the different path chosen here is what makes the film stand out. What I liked the most about this film here is the "father-son" story, what I liked the least was that the film sometimes turns too much into a showcase for Rühmann during the stage scenes, especially the lengthy clown performance scene at the very end. But you can somehow also make an argument that it does make sense, also in this very particular scene. I personally enjoyed this film here and it is a particularly good choice if you are male and looking for something to watch with your father or son. Thumbs up.
The film runs for slightly over 90 minutes and Rühmann is in practically every scene. I think the story and also his character have occasional weaknesses, but he makes up for it thanks to his talent and charisma. Very deserved German Film Award nomination for Rühmann. I must say they took a brave decision with the ending as the German cinema of the 1950s is known for being totally into happy endings and harmony and maybe the different path chosen here is what makes the film stand out. What I liked the most about this film here is the "father-son" story, what I liked the least was that the film sometimes turns too much into a showcase for Rühmann during the stage scenes, especially the lengthy clown performance scene at the very end. But you can somehow also make an argument that it does make sense, also in this very particular scene. I personally enjoyed this film here and it is a particularly good choice if you are male and looking for something to watch with your father or son. Thumbs up.