First German Movie - not disappointed!

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2007)

I went into this movie knowing nothing but it's rating. After, my friends and I sat in a near coffee house staring at our expressions of "Wow!" The ratings are not lying, this movie is great.
Wiesler, played by Ulrich Mühe, is a professor who investigates/interrogates "enemies of Socialist party of Germany". Under the request of his superiors, he investigates a play writer, Georg (Sebastian Koch). Georg's apartment is bugged and he is surveillanced 24/7. Wiesler, a systematic tool of the system and lacking a personal touch in life, joins the Socialist party due to unrealistic ideals - this party is strong and helps the German people. While watching Georg, he is touched by how strong and good this play writer is. Lives of Another portrays how the two effect each other (and hopefully the audience).
The written detail is impressive. There is a scene where Wiesler reads aloud a passage in a book. My memory took me back to English class where the teacher would point out a poem or tangent the author wrote. While trying to explain the relevancy of this "tangent", I always felt the writer added this part for filler or to push the story. But in Lives of Another, these little passages, plays, or conversations had relevancy to the characters and carefully planned. Details such as: how much Georg valued his significant other and why, how powerful art is to change someone, and how someone can sacrifice oneself to be who they are.
The ideals and messages are wonderful too.