at last the academy are getting things right

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2007)

this is one of the best films in recent years, and fully deserving of its foreign language Oscar. virtually everything in this film is near perfect the writing, photography, music and performances. it is also a film of deep emotion and tragic events. that it is based on real events that happened in East Germany makes it all the more poignant and tragic. there are no real heroes or villains, just ordinary people caught up in a ridiculous political system which breeds mistrust and fear. the coming down of the berlin wall gives this film its very powerful ending, and an emotional lift right at the end. I recommend this film very strongly to people who are put off by subtitles, do give it a chance and see the original German version with subtitles