Geographically-speaking, it seems quite apt that the Director is from Switzerland, as this film gets rather lost in the awkward territory between the seriousness of contemporary new wave German drama and the playful, farcical rom-coms so loved by the French. It's closer to the latter, with the most obvious comparison that I could think of being the recent Audrey Tatou vehicle, Priceless – similar premise (a waiter resorting to extreme tactics in order to try and win the girl over), but without the same level of chemistry between, or empathy for, the two main characters, this is a bit of a soggy farce. The romantic element felt pedestrian and predictable – him coming clean at the end, and that being enough to win her back – yawn. It's entertaining enough in a lightweight and frivolous sort of way, but don't go with any hopes of seeing something of the quality of 'Goodbye Lenin' of 'The Lives of Others', for this isn't in the same league.
6 Reviews
A successful con job
Horst_In_Translation25 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Lila, Lila" or "My Words, My Lies - My Love" is a German 100-minute movie from 7 years ago. The director is Alain Gsponer and writer Alex Buresch adapted Martin Suter's novel for the big screen here. The three main characters are played by Daniel Brühl, Hannah Herzsprung and Henry Hübchen, all 3 fairly with good careers and many awards under their belts. And their performances are mostly fine I guess, at least Brühl and Hübchen. Herzsprung I am pretty biased on because I don't see her as a talented actress, but I guess here she was still better than usual. It is really tough to say which character from the trio is the least likable. People may say they are fine, but they have flaws, but I definitely do not agree with this theory. Brühl's character is not scared of becoming famous and popular for an achievement by somebody else. You can say in his favor that he really only wanted to impress Marie and that things went completely wrong and he lost control over it and also did not say the truth to avoid public humiliation. The ending, however, makes him look pretty bad in terms of character. Marie (Herzsprung) is possibly the least likable for me. And the reason may be that she was actually intended to be likable. She has no interest in the protagonist when he is just a waiter. She is bossy and pushy during their relationship and her holier-than-thou attitude is painful to watch. Plus, she really enjoys the spotlight, being the girlfriend to the big new shining star in literature. And finally Hübchen: He is a pretty miserable and alone character which somehow explains his longing for friendship and that he wants to have his moment in the spotlight too. But his behavior makes others feel miserable too and destroys the relationship between the other two main characters.
Luckily the story has a handful good moments and is an interesting watch in general with all the plot twists happening. This film shows that it is sometimes better to have characters with shades than only people who are either 100% good or 100% bad. In my opinion, the movie works and I think it was pretty difficult to come up with a somewhat satisfying ending (even if the actual ending was somewhat predictable), but they managed and that certainly took some skill. As a whole, "Lila, Lila" is nowhere near Brühl's best film or performance, but it is also far away from his worst achievements. Hübchen was possibly the best thing about the film and it gets a lot better when he enters the screen around the 40-minute mark. Most of the action before that felt mediocre for the most part. Luckily, he is in it for the remaining 60 minutes until the film ends. This is the reason why I give it a ***/***** and not a **/*****. I think it is worth checking out, especially if you like Brühl as an actor (more than I do). Thumbs up. However, I cannot take the film seriously for its romantic aspects (mostly because of Herzsprung), but in terms of all other genres, especially drama, it delivers. Watch it.
Luckily the story has a handful good moments and is an interesting watch in general with all the plot twists happening. This film shows that it is sometimes better to have characters with shades than only people who are either 100% good or 100% bad. In my opinion, the movie works and I think it was pretty difficult to come up with a somewhat satisfying ending (even if the actual ending was somewhat predictable), but they managed and that certainly took some skill. As a whole, "Lila, Lila" is nowhere near Brühl's best film or performance, but it is also far away from his worst achievements. Hübchen was possibly the best thing about the film and it gets a lot better when he enters the screen around the 40-minute mark. Most of the action before that felt mediocre for the most part. Luckily, he is in it for the remaining 60 minutes until the film ends. This is the reason why I give it a ***/***** and not a **/*****. I think it is worth checking out, especially if you like Brühl as an actor (more than I do). Thumbs up. However, I cannot take the film seriously for its romantic aspects (mostly because of Herzsprung), but in terms of all other genres, especially drama, it delivers. Watch it.
Almost a good film, but not quite. And definitely not a romantic comedy.
jay_hay16 September 2013
The film deals with identity and fame, and there's a sense of tension and awkwardness throughout much of the film, not limited to, but personified by Bruhl's character David Kern.
There was a lot about the film which I enjoyed, but several aspects of the film really didn't fit in terms of tone: clumsy, after-the-fact attempts to present the film as a romantic comedy (which it definitely isn't).
To give a few examples: several of the songs used in the soundtrack were much lighter and sunnier that the scenes they were matched to; the final scene of the film fit so poorly it was little short of schizophrenic (by which I mean the last 15 seconds or so). In a similar way the posters used to advertise the film are completely mismatched with the content of the film.
It was only relatively recently that I read the book that this film was based on ("Lila, Lila" by Martin Suter). Having enjoyed the book so much, I knew I would watch the film more critically than otherwise.
To finish on a positive note, I found Daniel Bruhl's interpretation of David engaging and I actually really enjoyed the plot variations in the film as opposed to the book.
There was a lot about the film which I enjoyed, but several aspects of the film really didn't fit in terms of tone: clumsy, after-the-fact attempts to present the film as a romantic comedy (which it definitely isn't).
To give a few examples: several of the songs used in the soundtrack were much lighter and sunnier that the scenes they were matched to; the final scene of the film fit so poorly it was little short of schizophrenic (by which I mean the last 15 seconds or so). In a similar way the posters used to advertise the film are completely mismatched with the content of the film.
It was only relatively recently that I read the book that this film was based on ("Lila, Lila" by Martin Suter). Having enjoyed the book so much, I knew I would watch the film more critically than otherwise.
To finish on a positive note, I found Daniel Bruhl's interpretation of David engaging and I actually really enjoyed the plot variations in the film as opposed to the book.
Unfunny comedy
hof-413 November 2019
This movie can be found in the streaming services under its original title Lila Lila or My Words, My Lies, My Love, surely one the most ludicrous movie titles in cinema history. The movie has many similarities to the later Hollywood production The Words (2012), although the writers of The Words claimed ignorance of Lila Lila and the novel on which it is based.
The Words is not exceptional, but Lila Lila is a far lesser movie. Daniel Bruhl plays the protagonist David Kern with his usual earnestness but he runs out of charisma after a few minutes and becomes annoying. This may not be his fault, since his lines are full of clichés. The plot is at the same time contrived and predictable and the protagonist monumentally dishonest, which prevents empathy from the viewer. Another key character, Jacky, is too obnoxious and acted over-the top. The rest of the personages (including girlfriend) are out-of-this-world naive. And, finally, the plot resolution requires a character to disappear, thus is duly disposed of (same as in The Words). A prime example of narrative dishonesty. The toxic conclusion seems to be, if you are a nobody (why a waiter has to be a nobody?) cheat and lie your way to fame, fortune and success with the ladies. Everything will be OK at the end.
I found nothing positive in this movie. A miss.
The Words is not exceptional, but Lila Lila is a far lesser movie. Daniel Bruhl plays the protagonist David Kern with his usual earnestness but he runs out of charisma after a few minutes and becomes annoying. This may not be his fault, since his lines are full of clichés. The plot is at the same time contrived and predictable and the protagonist monumentally dishonest, which prevents empathy from the viewer. Another key character, Jacky, is too obnoxious and acted over-the top. The rest of the personages (including girlfriend) are out-of-this-world naive. And, finally, the plot resolution requires a character to disappear, thus is duly disposed of (same as in The Words). A prime example of narrative dishonesty. The toxic conclusion seems to be, if you are a nobody (why a waiter has to be a nobody?) cheat and lie your way to fame, fortune and success with the ladies. Everything will be OK at the end.
I found nothing positive in this movie. A miss.
Loved it
jamiekmurray14 June 2014
I totally loved this film. Its a shame its not out in England i had to buy it on the American Amazon so i could have it with the English subtitles and wait over 2 weeks.
The film was about a waiter who never got noticed and he really liked a girl who was in to her books. Lucky he found a novel in a old bedside table and then you think the true author comes to find him. It has some good twists and turns. Daniel Bruhl is totally brilliant and so is Hannah Herzsprung. I really hope this get released in the UK so other people can enjoy it.Please watch it if you love comedy and world cinema you wont be disappointed.
The film was about a waiter who never got noticed and he really liked a girl who was in to her books. Lucky he found a novel in a old bedside table and then you think the true author comes to find him. It has some good twists and turns. Daniel Bruhl is totally brilliant and so is Hannah Herzsprung. I really hope this get released in the UK so other people can enjoy it.Please watch it if you love comedy and world cinema you wont be disappointed.
Great film! Great dialogue!
BMcIsaac5 January 2019
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