Trust No One

Rating: 9/10 (9 April 2007)

Imagine your every move was monitored, and your every word recorded. Imagine your closest friends were really spies and that even your loved ones were not to be trusted.
This climate of fear and suspicion was a reality for many artists and political dissidents during the 40 year reign of the socialist German Democratic Republic which ended with the dramatic demolition of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The Lives of Others begins in an aptly chosen 1984 (the allusions to George Orwell's infamous novel are too great not to mention) and follows the lives of playwright Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) and actress girlfriend Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck). Dreyman is closely monitored by 'Stasi' surveillance operative Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe) on the orders of the philandering Minister Hempf (Thomas Thieme) in an abuse of power carefully exacted to destroy the successful couple.
Debut director, von Donnersmarck's 'The Lives of Others' offers an emotional and moving tale of contrasts and oppositions: of observations and secrets, of society and individuality, and his stunning screenplay powers steadily towards its cathartic climax with the measured rhythm of an overnight freight train. This study on moral complexity, human nature and political idealism is a perfectly realised cinematic masterwork, adorned with precise performances and crafted with inspired direction. The best film of the year to date, truly deserving of the Oscar and all the international praise it has received.