Comments on: The Lives of Others (2006)

By: Alice Bachini-Smith

Alice Bachini-Smith — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:32:53 +0000

Finally got round to watching this! Wow- amazingly brilliant film. Because of the subject matter I was still kind of expecting to be either depressed or bored by the ugliness that was the old East Germany, but nothing about this film was uninteresting or dismal. It was great watching it with the benefit of hindsight. Reminded me most of “The Unbearable LIghtness of Being”, which was big in the 80s but utterly depressing for obvious reasons at the time.

Very absorbing and clever and thought-provoking throughout. (I did slightly object to one part of the ending but can’t say why without spoilering.) And inspiring too somehow. So glad I saw this one.

By: Joe Valdez

Joe Valdez — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:38:24 +0000

Alice: Youâ€™re welcome. If I had to open a line of movie credit with you, I canâ€™t think of a safer bet than The Lives of Others. Let me know what you think!

Megan: Iâ€™ve noticed that American posters tend to be almost a graphic illustration of the entire movie, whereas European posters are not that sophisticated. Theyâ€™re more like impressions, or book covers. Another interpretation would be that Americans are easily distracted and need a more explosive poster.

Elizabeth: Iâ€™m impressed that you saw such a great movie way before I did. I review your Netflix queue to get rental ideas, you know, not just tease you renting Labyrinth.

Jeff: I understand your criticism; maybe as a first time director, von Donnersmarck didn’t effectively communicate how listening to Beethoven transformed Weisler so suddenly. Stylistically the film blew me away, and in spite of the tiered endings, it came through with a lot of emotional resonance for me.

By: Jeff McM

Jeff McM — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:21:53 +0000

While I enjoy this movie, I also think it’s fairly flawed. The major flaw is the simple fact that Weisler’s transformation from dedicated spy to reformed idealist is painfully fast, leaving him with virtually no internal drama for much of the narrative. Add to that the protracted epilogue and it’s a movie that I think is good but not great.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:48:29 +0000

Thanks for another great review Joe! I saw this film before I hit the road in August and I thought it was fantastic. I’d like to see it again, after reading your review and the wonderful insight and background you provided. I know I can always count on you for that!

By: Megan

Megan — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:01:22 +0000

I am facinated by the difference between the two posters. Very interesting, don’t you think?

Thanks Joe, another film goes on the list!

By: Alice Bachini-Smith

Alice Bachini-Smith — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:48:19 +0000

Brilliant, I’ve been wondering about this one but now it’s definitely going on the netflix list. Thank you!