"Boy 7" is one of the most talked-about German movies from last year. It was directed by Özgüy Yildirim and I really liked some of his works ("Chiko") and did not like some of his work at all ("Blutzbrüdaz"), so I was not too sure how much I would like this one here. Yildirim is also one of the writers who adapted Mirjam Mous' novel. I would not really call this film an original achievement. First of all, it is the remake of a Dutch film with the same title and then it also felt as if it was made up of elements from many other films, including "The Hunger Games", "The Maze Runner" and maybe even "Anatomie". Still there is nothing wrong with that, if the overall outcome is still creative and interesting to watch and I think this is the case here, at least for most of the film. The first half of these almost 110 minutes felt better to me than the second. The way we find out about the institution the people live in was nicely done and quietly convincing. Definitely more convincing than the whole rioting/rebelling/anarchy plot at the end. I wish they could have taken a different direction there. Luckily, it is not bad enough to destroy the film, but it certainly could have been handled a lot more convincingly.
Lets talk a bit about the actors. I am yet to see a film, in which David Kross convinces me with his acting and this is not the case here either. It often feels to me as if he is playing the same character over and over again. Little diversity I see here. luckily the supporting cast is better and this does not only include Emilia Schüle. She is easy on the eyes as always, but I also think she has decent talent and may keep getting great roles when her looks start fading. The cast here generally includes some names that are part of the new generation of German actors who may keep doing an impact for years in the industry. one who does now already is Liv Lisa Fries, even if she not lead in here. Worst moment of the film: Maybe Kross singing to being back Schüle's memory near the end. Oh well, this was such a crucial moment in terms of the story, but it felt so cringeworthy. Best moment? Touch to pick one. There was not one situation that really stood out, but I liked the early humiliation for Schüle's character with the cow talk and her teacher. Showed us very well that this place is evil. As a whole, the good outweighs the bad, mostly thanks to the first hour and I recommend checking it out, even if the full potential was definitely not fulfilled.
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