Review of Outside the Box

"Outside the Box" is a German movie from 2 years ago (2015) that was written and directed by Philip Koch and is certainly among his more known works already. This mostly has to do with the cast including the likes of Bruch, Lau, Zischler, Wilson, Finzi, Ramadan, Gersak... all names that German film buffs have certainly come across on other occasions. It is a relatively short movie as it only runs for slightly over 80 minutes, but in this case it is a good thing as it was not a convincing, let alone memorable, watch at any point really. It is basically all about the modern business world for this one and this is really where the entire focus of the film lies from start to finish. It is a mix of comedy and drama with some thriller moments even, but that is nothing too uncommon as you will hardly find big-screen releases in Germany these days that are really only 100% comedy without drama, while the other way around still happens a lot for whatever reason. I guess you could call it the Schweiger effect or Schweighöfer effect as these films always have to deliver a deep message and be contemporarily relevant etc. so that "intellectual" German movie-goers don't realize how simple they actually are. It's pretty funny in fact. What's wrong with enjoying a movie that is 100% comedy. Nothing at all. Anyway, back to this one here. I believe the script was so-so only unfortunately and I would maybe call it a poor man's version of another recent German film, namely "Zeit der Kannibalen". Everything that you find in that latter movie you will also find here to some extent, just weaker executed and more poorly produced. A bit of a shame as the film here has potential with some of the characters and plot developments, but I personally felt it was never really fulfilled and that makes it all a bit gimmicky and comical (and not in a good way). I have to give "Outside the Box" a thumbs down and don't recommend it. Let me finally say a few words on the title of the movie which is one of the worst terms out there really. Everybody who is truly "outside the box" and free in mind and spirit would never use this term. This term is for those who are at the very center of the box, but are way too deep inside to realize how they are the exact opposite of what they are. And this certainly also fits the characters of this film. Watch something else instead.