Captivating and sensual.

Rating: 7/10 (29 November 2019)

'The Lives of Others' is an interesting movie. It is dramatic, sensual, sexual and captivating, and offers quite a few twists and unexpected events.
Sebastian Koch is very good as Georg Dreyman, a writer under surveillance. Unbeknownst to him, his love life, every day routine, and conversations with his friends - and even plans to smuggle a friend across the border - are being recorded, as his entire apartment is being monitored. Instead of reporting him, Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler - who is in charge of the investigation - can't wait for his surveillance turn to follow Georg's life. Wiesler is excellently portrayed by Ulrich Muhe. One can't help but become absorbed by the characters, wanting to see and hear more.
There's so much irony in the film. 'The Lives of Others' definitely deserves more than just one viewing. Although it might loose its appeal with a second viewing, it will still be worth it.