Let me begin this short and informative review with an important note which some of my fellow reviewer friends didn't like about the movie: although it's a film adaptation on a biography written by a very famous German comedian about his life, you don't have to know him to understand the movie. The movie is a drama. It could've been written by anyone. If we all knew the authors to amazing stories what would change our understanding?
I have to admit though, that I almost gave up on the movie 30 minutes in, as nothing, literally nothing happens. Just random gatherings of one family living in a happy bubble or so it seems. At least from the boy's perspective. The movie did right to focus on him. Through his eyes. You get an insight on what children notice and what they are capable of. He clearly is different, not only by his weight, but by the way he acts. The love for plays and dressing up. He notices that something is going on with his family too. But isn't aware of what these things mean. That his absent dad starts it all. The lack of communication. The move. The unhappiness. It's heartbreaking, really. How the boy tries so hard to make his mum laugh. To make her feel better, the way she used to be. And what happens to her in the process.
It literally is a drama. I feel the need to apologize to him for his terrible terrible childhood and that I don't like him. Comedian-wise. Anyway, he dealt with it, with all of his bad experiences in a wonderful way. A way, which led him to where he is now. Not many people had the strength.
Let's stop here. Watch the movie! The first and probably only masterpiece made in Germany in the 21st century. Real life still writes the best stories, doesn't it?
I have to admit though, that I almost gave up on the movie 30 minutes in, as nothing, literally nothing happens. Just random gatherings of one family living in a happy bubble or so it seems. At least from the boy's perspective. The movie did right to focus on him. Through his eyes. You get an insight on what children notice and what they are capable of. He clearly is different, not only by his weight, but by the way he acts. The love for plays and dressing up. He notices that something is going on with his family too. But isn't aware of what these things mean. That his absent dad starts it all. The lack of communication. The move. The unhappiness. It's heartbreaking, really. How the boy tries so hard to make his mum laugh. To make her feel better, the way she used to be. And what happens to her in the process.
It literally is a drama. I feel the need to apologize to him for his terrible terrible childhood and that I don't like him. Comedian-wise. Anyway, he dealt with it, with all of his bad experiences in a wonderful way. A way, which led him to where he is now. Not many people had the strength.
Let's stop here. Watch the movie! The first and probably only masterpiece made in Germany in the 21st century. Real life still writes the best stories, doesn't it?