Even though the attempt to present an important topic in an entertaining rather than educational way works for long stretches, I am not completely satisfied with the result. There is the often very theatrical acting of some actors who come more from the theatre, which is noticeable in their pronunciation and body language, and who cannot necessarily adapt to the conditions that a camera requires, as it records every detail. So you don't have to play for the 20th row in the theatre. On top of that, I would have liked the emotional journey to be even more intense. Yes, when you see a film 16 years after it was made, some impressions naturally shift, but this could have been better in 2005. The two main actors could not be more different, Max Riemelt, more of a physical performer, Tom Schilling, more of a fine spirit, a tender young man who rejects violence. The friendship between the two could have had more depth, but we understood what the film had in store in terms of themes and, all in all, it all works quite well. Why it was not nominated for an Oscar is obvious to me. Unfortunately, there was no compelling content and aesthetic design in the end.
Review of Before the Fall
