"Besondere Schwere der Schuld" is a German movie from 2014, so this one is three years old when I am writing this review. It was directed by Kaspar Heidelbach and written by Sascha Arango and their experience when it comes to making movies and series clearly shows here, especially in terms of Heidelbach who is even way more prolific than his writer. This mostly refers to small screen works, but this is a small screen work as well, so it is all good. The film runs for pretty much exactly 90 minutes and the words used in the title are a legal term that basically means that the guilt is especially severe because of base motives or just because the crime was committed in such a horrible fashion. The cast includes several well-known names here. The number one would of course be Götz George and for him it was one of his final works as an actor before his death not too long ago and seeing this film, he surely went out on a high note. George is known for playing in films that basically include 2 male co-leads and this is the case here as well as Hanno Koffler plays the character who is probably even more in the center of it all. And the common plot with George playing a criminal and the other guy playing (something similar to) an investigator applies here as well, even if Koffler does not play a cop. But the ways in which these young man stalk the old man, especially early on, make that description fairly fitting I would say.
This is the story of a man who returns to his hometown from jail. He committed a horrible crime decades ago and was released now. But the wounds of the past are just as visible as they could be. And not only do we get an insight into what really happened that night back then, but we also find out a lot more that involves especially Koffler's character. I quite enjoyed this film. this has to do with George who I love a lot and Koffler who I don't mind either. But it also has to do with the really talented supporting actors in here, for example Thomas Thieme playing a character that becomes more and more important the longer the film goes. He is another personal favorite of mine. Yes there may be minor struggles like for example I felt the female characters weren't written that well or that i am not entirely sold on the final plot twist revelation, but it is nothing too bad and it took away almost nothing from the joy I had watching this film. It's tense, it's dramatic and it is well-crafted. In short, it is evidence that with all the garbage stuff shown on German television these days, if you search long enough for quality you will find it. For example with this film. Maybe you need to like the actors as much as I do to really appreciate it, but even if you don't, then perhaps the film and the performances will turn you into a fan of these actors. In any case, this movie gets a thumbs-down from me and I think you need to check it out if you get a chance to.
This is the story of a man who returns to his hometown from jail. He committed a horrible crime decades ago and was released now. But the wounds of the past are just as visible as they could be. And not only do we get an insight into what really happened that night back then, but we also find out a lot more that involves especially Koffler's character. I quite enjoyed this film. this has to do with George who I love a lot and Koffler who I don't mind either. But it also has to do with the really talented supporting actors in here, for example Thomas Thieme playing a character that becomes more and more important the longer the film goes. He is another personal favorite of mine. Yes there may be minor struggles like for example I felt the female characters weren't written that well or that i am not entirely sold on the final plot twist revelation, but it is nothing too bad and it took away almost nothing from the joy I had watching this film. It's tense, it's dramatic and it is well-crafted. In short, it is evidence that with all the garbage stuff shown on German television these days, if you search long enough for quality you will find it. For example with this film. Maybe you need to like the actors as much as I do to really appreciate it, but even if you don't, then perhaps the film and the performances will turn you into a fan of these actors. In any case, this movie gets a thumbs-down from me and I think you need to check it out if you get a chance to.
