It just fails to be emotionally compelling.

Rating: 6/10 (21 March 2010)

Widely regarded as the best European film of 2009, Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon centers on the birth of evil in pre-war Germany. A year before the breakout of the World War I a series of sudden accidents interferes with the peaceful life in one of German villages. This concept sounds much better on paper, and with Haneke's methodical approach The White Ribbon tends to be slow and mundane. Haneke cares more about concepts than characters. That's why he mechanically subordinates every event to his fatalistic thesis. To my surprise, it works really well introducing dense atmosphere of dread and tension into the film. While Haneke's examination seems relatively credible due to stark realism throughout the film, he keeps using his old tricks: the lack of climax and unresolved ending. They certainly worked way better in his metaphorical thriller Cache (Hidden) than in The White Ribbon that would benefit from the strong filmmaker's statement in the end. On the top of that, the latest Haneke's offering represents an artistic cinema with impressive cinematography, detailed set pieces and lavish compositions. It's just a major letdown that the film fails to be emotionally compelling. 6.5/10 (B-)