"Geld oder Leber!" is a West German German-language movie from 1986, so it has its 30th anniversary this year. The director is Dieter Pröttel and he is also one of the writers. The name is probably not too familiar, but he also worked on other films with Mike Krüger and Thomas Gottschalk back then, which shows that (at least in terms of films) you should not expect too much for me. This was the time of German trash movies to some extent and here we have another example. Mike Krüger stars here and he is also one of the writers. The last writer is Christoph Treutwein and it's always pretty embarrassing to see so many writers for one film and then the outcome is really weak like in this case. Ursela Monn is the female co-lead next to Krüger and Falco (huge star back then) has a cameo too. There is not a lot more to say. Even in the absence of Gottschalk, this feels like a mostly uninspired little film that goes for cheap laughs in terms of plays on words or guys dressing up as females (ugh..) But I still have to say that Krüger's charisma and recognition value (not really his range) still elevate the material here. The problem is not the acting, it is the script. The bank robbery parts were still among the better moments. Of course, it's all in good fun and nothing along the lines of "Dog Day Afternoon". We have a bank robber for example who allows people to move in front of him in the line as they have an important appointment etc. But is it really funny? I doubt it. Thumbs down from'me. I don't recommend the watch and I am glad it was over so quickly (80-minute film only).
4 Reviews
In the eye of the beholder
kosmasp8 January 2021
Now humor and comedy can be perceived differently. Depending on how open you are to a specific style, you may like this. Or as someone else put it even consider this a masterpiece. Now obviously I disagree with that statement, but I understand that some had more fun with this than I had.
It is silly to say the least, beginning with the robbery (attempts) and ending with everything else. Mike Krüger can not really be considered a good actor. I liked him as a comedian and he seems to be more than a decent human being. The story is I guess more or less coherent, if not entirely "believable". So suspend your disbelief and dive into this madness ... if indeed this tickles your funny bone
It is silly to say the least, beginning with the robbery (attempts) and ending with everything else. Mike Krüger can not really be considered a good actor. I liked him as a comedian and he seems to be more than a decent human being. The story is I guess more or less coherent, if not entirely "believable". So suspend your disbelief and dive into this madness ... if indeed this tickles your funny bone
Geld oder Leber = Money or Liver?
bodger120 May 2006
Man, is that what that means? Yes! It is a play on the German saying of GELD ODER LEBEN (Your money or your life). Leber means "liver" in German. In fact, one of the characters gets a LIVER when they ask this question! Mike and Susanne Juing are desperate for money. To supplement their income, they resort to robbing banks and jewelry stores. They are pretty unsuccessful, except for one time! They manage to steal jewels and hide them in a goose in a grocery store.
After they celebrate their victorious robbery, they come back to the store where they hid the jewels. The goose has been sold! Thanks to the store owner, they get a list of the buyers and hunt for the jewels and the goose! Along the way, they meet many strange people, and even run into Austrian pop star, Falco.
GELD ODER LEBER is a neat, compact little comedy that runs only 80 minutes. While a lot of it is unbelievable, it is has some neat sight gags and was a GREAT way to practice my Deutsch! Mike Krueger and Ursula Monn are fun enough and make for a nice couple.
However, the soundtrack is the best part! Austrian pop band EAV sing several songs for the soundtrack.
Falco sings a live version of his hit, THE SOUND OF MUSIK! That alone, is worth admission.
All said, it is a pity it is not widely available in the states! It was never released here, but if you can get a hold of the DVD if you visit Austria and/or Germany and have a region free DVD player it is worth it! Especially if you love Falco's music.
That's my rant! Bodger1
After they celebrate their victorious robbery, they come back to the store where they hid the jewels. The goose has been sold! Thanks to the store owner, they get a list of the buyers and hunt for the jewels and the goose! Along the way, they meet many strange people, and even run into Austrian pop star, Falco.
GELD ODER LEBER is a neat, compact little comedy that runs only 80 minutes. While a lot of it is unbelievable, it is has some neat sight gags and was a GREAT way to practice my Deutsch! Mike Krueger and Ursula Monn are fun enough and make for a nice couple.
However, the soundtrack is the best part! Austrian pop band EAV sing several songs for the soundtrack.
Falco sings a live version of his hit, THE SOUND OF MUSIK! That alone, is worth admission.
All said, it is a pity it is not widely available in the states! It was never released here, but if you can get a hold of the DVD if you visit Austria and/or Germany and have a region free DVD player it is worth it! Especially if you love Falco's music.
That's my rant! Bodger1
Another masterpiece form the grandmaster of humor Mike Krüger.
holgerroesch7 February 2003
Do you know such jokes, you don`t trust to tell, because they are so bad? This whole movie consist of them. It takes you and keeps you laughing the whole time, you will definitly not see this anywhere else no matter how long you search for it. There is no movie like this one and anybody how thinks he knows something about movies has to see it. An epic Masterpiece with visionary tendencies. 10/10
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