If you like to watch teenage-based movies, you would like this movie. It is filled with perplexing angst and drama that any teen goes through. It is about this 18-year-old Jakob, who comes back home after spending time with his father. He lives with his sister for a while, and meets a beautiful young woman, Wanda, who is an Au-Pair from Poland. Now, you all know how it goes: boy meets girl, girl meets boy. But what makes this movie different is the reality of it all. It's not all "Look at me I'm a teenager, that's why I have issues" it's more to the truth of what it is really like to be a teen. The emotions, the problems and the sense of self-pity that they seem to have clouding their judgment. It's so real, it's amazing for a movie. I cannot understand German, but I read the subtitles and listened to their voices and the acting is amazing. Particularly coming from Jakob, played by Tom Schilling, the acting is natural and forthright. Every scene he was in was mesmerizing, he made his character so real you wouldn't know you were watching a movie if your mother wouldn't have been so rude as to talk to you whilst you were watching such beautiful acting! Also the character of Wanda was also played brilliantly by Alicja Bachleda-Curus, who knows how to bring the bewildered outsider into her role. They are the stand outs, but the sister Petra (Anna Von Berg) is acted superbly as well. I have always found foreign movies a lot more interesting to watch on screen, as it is such a good change of culture and mock of the way of life from whatever country the movie is from. As I said before, I cannot speak German, so maybe the acting was a lot worse than I would have thought if it was in English but I couldn't pick our their flaws like I could if it was a fake, re-make made by Hollywood. Being a sucker for kiddo drama, I enjoyed it thoroughly, although I doubt too many people will agree unless they are like myself! Different plot, awesome, matured characters and fantastic actors. I must also point out that Tom Schilling eyes are exquisite. 8/10
4 Reviews
Nice Lovestory and more
The_Master_Elysium10 June 2002
"Herz im Kopf", a film probably made for teenagers, must be considered as well done not only for this group. Jakob, trying to find his place in the world after his mothers death, is both true to life and well acted. When watching his attempts to get a job, to arrange his life with his older (and pregnant) sister and of course to get the girl he loves, you are touched not only as a teenager, but as a human, because the feelings transported in the picture are universal. Wanda, a Polish Au-Pair in Germany and object of Jakob's love, is very well acted too. But the biggest congratulations have to go to the screenplay which expresses very true feelings, with several Ups and Downs.
After all a really good movie, not the best this year, but very worth watching!
After all a really good movie, not the best this year, but very worth watching!
Not brilliant, but decent
poem10 June 2002
A picture about a boy who visits his sister and falls in love to an au pair girl from poland. His sister has also some problems.
A typical little bit dull german movie, very realistic, not completely interesting, in the end neither a complete waste of time nor really necessary. It remembered me very much of 'Crazy', even if it was still far more charming than that one. For me personally, both movies are simply too far from any of my own life experiences to be really entertaining.
Watch it if you like realistic movies, or if you liked 'Crazy'.
A typical little bit dull german movie, very realistic, not completely interesting, in the end neither a complete waste of time nor really necessary. It remembered me very much of 'Crazy', even if it was still far more charming than that one. For me personally, both movies are simply too far from any of my own life experiences to be really entertaining.
Watch it if you like realistic movies, or if you liked 'Crazy'.
I felt this film failed at its very core
Horst_In_Translation16 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Herz über Kopf" or "Herz im Kopf" or "Heart Over Head" is a German 90-minute movie from 2001, so soon 20 years old. It is among the most known career efforts by writer and director Michael Gutmann and even if he may not be as known as his co-writer Hans-Christian Schmid, he still has solid projects included there. This one here features Tom Schilling in the lead and Matthias Schweighöfer as supporting, two of Germany's biggest actors right now back when they were still really young, around the age of 20 or even under. They are joined by the stunning Alicja Bachleda and yes romance, love and jealousy are key components in this one we have here. But there is mroe to it. A bit of grief, a bit of pregnancy, a bit of coming-of-age, a bit of friendship, a bit of faithfulness etc., but sadly none of it is really elaborated on on a level that I would call remotely convincing to be honest. It is all very wishy washy, very much all above the surface and there is no quietly convincing subtlety in here whatsoever. What's even worse is that the film gets worse, the longer it goes. The first half is tolerable at times without being good, but the second half has some really bad moments that are almost negative dealbreakers on a level where I have to take anouther star away, so 4 out of 10 or 2 out of 5 is still pretty much on the generous side. The very rare shots at comedy or at putting smiles on the audience's lips are mostly failures too and I found it really difficult to actually care for the characters in their pursuit of love and happiness. i also felt it depicted romance in a way that did not feel really realistic or authentic, so it is pretty dangerous if you try to get inspired here for your real life romance, this film may actually hurt your chances there. All in all, there isn't a single component in here from start to finish, a single production value where I would say that this makes the film worth watching and the script is the biggest problem. As for the cast, I like Leonard Lansink, but well he has certainly not the material or screen time here to make a lasting impression. Maybe only the very biggest Tom Schilling fans may want to check this one out, but also only if they have seen everything else from him. I certainly give these slightly under 1.5 hours a thumbs-down and don't recommend checking them out. They feel very fame a lot of the time and this is really crucial as realism with characters and stories that you and me could experience too is where the movie really wants to deliver and comes really short. The only thing memorable finally is just how amazingly gorgeous the young Bachleda is. but that is obviously not reason enough to see the film. watch something else instead.
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