Das Wunderbar

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 2008)

This movie probably doesn't need another favorable review but I don't think that will stop me from writing one anyway! What a starkly realistic piece about life, particularly artistic life, in the GDR prior to Glasnost. We in the West take our liberties so much for granted that a movie such as this gives us a well deserved shock to our systems. The film, collectively, and its characterizations, individually, poignantly and meticulously dissects the thoroughly vain, corrupt and nihilistic political system in power during that time. From the thoroughly disgusting Minister Hempf at the power top to the "victim" writer/playwright Dreyman, the entire cast excels in a powerfully moving, yet unrushed production. Of particular note is Ulrich Muhe's performance as the stoic (initially!) Stasi captain assigned to snoop on Dreyman. Will we, in fact, see a metamorphosis in this character as the plot evolves? I'll not be a spoiler!
Only one regret: Since I viewed the English subtitled version, I have to assume I missed a lot of the more subtle nuances of the dialogue that usually get lost in even the most ambitious translations.
Rather than recap what other astute reviewers have already noted, I will say that the sequences of events that lead to a most subtle, yet decidedly satisfying conclusion were masterfully executed in an intelligent and artistic fashion. To date, one of the truly premier film gems of the decade. Should be required viewing for contemporary film students worldwide.