Just words are not enough to glorify this masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (1 April 2008)

A stupendous debut offering by the director, this movie will move you deeply, chunrning out one intense scene after another with immaculate precision be it in the writing, directing, acting, cinematography, lighting, score.... you name it.
An absolutely spell binding performance by Ulrich Muhe as a Stasi officer, his timing, his subtlety, his presence will just make you cry and yearn for more. He is probably worth a lifetime achievement award for his performance in this movie alone.
An equally terrific performance by Martina Gedeck who is in the epicenter of the whole drama. Portraying a pivotal character in the movie she is in a class of her own in some of the most intense moments of the movie. The movie also has great performances all around by various other actors.
All in all the movie asks the right questions and for the most part finds the right answers. In the process we are driven through the emotional turmoils of the different characters in the face of the conditions that prevailed in East Germany in the 80s before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
A treat to your senses and beyond.....what more can be said?