Tragic but at the same time a triumph of the human spirit

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2011)

I can see why this movie to Best Foreign Language category at the 2007 Academy Awards. The story is never less than totally absorbing and at times gripping and deeply moving. Both Dreyman and Wiesler's characters are fascinating studies in character performance from Sebastian Koch and Ulrich Muhe. Indeed, Muhe's laconic, deadpan, emotionless delivery seems suitably creepy for a highly trained, efficient Stasi agent. Yet it belies a hidden tenderness and respect for his prey, as he foils his own side to retrieve the dissident's hidden typewriter and thus prevent a prison sentence for Dreyman. The movie also works well as a critique of the crushing nature of the East German state apparatus, and how it manipulates people against each other, like Dreyman's girlfriend and his neighbour. Also the abuse of power by senior officials who are able to blackmail citizens for their own purposes as in the case of Minister Hempf. My description probably makes this sound really bleak - not a barrel of laughs. But I would really recommend watching this - the ray of light - Wiesler had a conscience after all. Stasi Agents were not all evil.