Der bewegte Mann

Plot synopsis:
Axel (played by Til Schweiger) has just been dumped by his girlfriend Doro (Katja Riemann), and needs to find a new place to live. He meets Walter a.k.a. Waltraud (Rufus Beck), a transvestite who participated in a heterosexual men's group to provide a gay man's perspective. Walter talks Axel into joining him and some friends at a gay party afterwards, and tries to convince Axel to move in with him. At the party, Axel decides instead to move in with Walter's best friend, Norbert (Joachim Król), whose boyfriend has just left him. Later, at Axel and Doro's apartment, Norbert tries to seduce Axel while they browse old photos. Just when Norbert has shed all his clothes, Doro shows up at the door, and Axel hastily hides Norbert. Doro explains to Axel that she's expecting his child and wants to give their relationship a second chance. She is not amused to discover a naked man in the wardrobe, but Axel manages to convince her that nothing has happened. Excited about fatherhood and eager to return to Doro, Axel forgets about his new friendship with Norbert.
But soon Axel discovers a downside to the pregnancy: he finds that he is extremely adverse to having sex with a pregnant woman, due to an irrational fear of hurting the child. Despite his engagement to her, he decides to stray when he encounters Elke, a former girlfriend. They are trying to find a place to have sex when Axel bumps into Norbert again. At first Norbert is angry with him for having left without a word, but Axel claims it's only because Doro was upset. Axel convinces Norbert to lend his apartment for the tryst with Elke. A few days later at Norbert's apartment, Elke gives Axel a mind-altering drug, and leaves him sitting naked on a table. Meanwhile, Doro has learned that Axel went to Norbert's apartment, and she thinks that Axel is going to have sex with Norbert. She confronts Norbert at his apartment and upon entering, she sees Axel naked and unable to speak and starts to go into labor. In the bathroom Norbert finds Elke and Norbert's not-so-gay boyfriend playing in the tub. As Norbert drives her to the hospital, he attempts to explain everything on the way. Doro forgives Norbert and they become friends, but her relationship with Axel is in question.
Best regards Jonathan Knudsen. The leader of Danish Gay Community

Tags: comedy

Review:
This is yet another of those cases where Anglosaxon audiences might be tempted to think that it reenforces their prejudice that German humour is a no-show.The problem can be described in one word: subtitles.
I (a native German speaker) watched the UK release which is the original German version with English subtitles.
The dialogue of this film is very funny and sharp; it is quite different from contemporary funny English dialogue which usually goes for funny one-liners, it has more in common with the humour you find in Oscar Wilde, for example in The Importance of Being Earnest.
This kind of dialogue is quite fashionable in certain parts of German culture, but at least in Britain it has become fairly rare.
This is a surprisingly funny movie!.
This is gem of a movie which does not lose any of its wit and charm with the passage of time.
Don't misunderstand me, however; the plot of one mans journey to his sexuality is pursued with  fever right up to its hilarious climax!
I would say that anyone of any sexual orientation with a sense of humor should watch this one with a friend or lover or both!.
This film is about a man's life turning upside down after spending the night in a gay man's house.This film is so funny!
The acting is great, the two lead characters, Axel and Norbert are outstanding.
Axel's wife, Doro, accidentally discovers her husband befriending Norbert.
Though I can only catch German isolated phrases here and there, I still find the film entertaining.
I saw this film in Germany when it came out as I was living there at the time.
No one gets what they want by the end: the gay man doesn't get his straight friend; the straight man doesn't get his free-love lifestyle; the straight woman doesn't get her angry singledom.I guess the moral is that you can take the human out of their sexuality, but you can't take the sexuality out of the human.
German comedy is not an oxymoron!.
Based on the work of Ralf König -- the king (no pun intended) of the Teutonic queer comic strip -- Wortmann has made a film about the vicissitudes of coming out.
Hand in hand, these two men from the country of "poets and thinkers" dare utter the words: "we are German, we are funny, and we are not ashamed!" In case you missed Wortmann's "Kleine Haie" (1992) -- a road film about three young men coming to grips with their thespianism -- here's proof that comedy is not merely a genre inflicted unilaterally by Hollywood on the rest of the world.
Well I hate American movies, and when they make comedies there's no soul to it, merely funny events which happen to be funny only for Americans.
Norbert's "rough" boyfriend, the incident with Axel and his former classmate, and the rough boyfriend doing the girl in the bathtub while Axel stands frozen like a fly..
Or maybe not, considering how many copies of DVD's boring Hollywood movies sell...
Each time the word "gay" comes up in this movie, her gestures and facial expressions are outstandingly flawless.
Even if you start watching the movie after the 40th minute and start from a scene with that word, you'd perfectly understand she's sick of homosexuality.
Joachim Krol and Til Schweiger are also performing great here.
I actually thought Joachim Krol was gay in real life after watching the movie.
My German is quite rusty and I still loved this movie.
So go and watch this movie, and shoot me if you don't like it.
A little note, the main characters of this movie can be classified as eye candy.
Katja Riemann is beautiful, and Til Schweiger is handsome.
`Maybe, Maybe Not' is one of the most odd movies I've ever seen.
`Maybe, Maybe Not' is one of the most odd movies I've ever seen.
I think I liked it because it is so completely different than all the American movies I'm used to seeing.
I think I liked it because it is so completely different than all the American movies I'm used to seeing.
In the beginning, the main character, Axel, decides to randomly have sex with some girl in the bathroom of his workplace.
In the beginning, the main character, Axel, decides to randomly have sex with some girl in the bathroom of his workplace.
She kicks him out of their apartment and throughout the rest of the movie he struggles with where to live.
She kicks him out of their apartment and throughout the rest of the movie he struggles with where to live.
Then he ends up at a `men's group' with a lot of gay guys.
Then he ends up at a `men's group' with a lot of gay guys.
A lot of stereotypes were defied in this movie and I found that extremely refreshing.
A lot of stereotypes were defied in this movie and I found that extremely refreshing.
For example, it is commonly thought in American society that gay men are promiscuous, however in this movie, no homosexual sex is shown.
For example, it is commonly thought in American society that gay men are promiscuous, however in this movie, no homosexual sex is shown.
There is one man-to-man kiss in the club and in another scene homosexual activity is inferred while watching slides but not directly shown on the screen.
There is one man-to-man kiss in the club and in another scene homosexual activity is inferred while watching slides but not directly shown on the screen.
Another stereotype defied was the `effeminate gay men' stereotype.
Another stereotype defied was the `effeminate gay men' stereotype.
The main gay character, Norbert, didn't act effeminate at all, not even in drag.
The main gay character, Norbert, didn't act effeminate at all, not even in drag.
My favorite part of the movie however perpetuated and made fun of an existing stereotype - the stupid Stallone-loving straight guy.
My favorite part of the movie however perpetuated and made fun of an existing stereotype - the stupid Stallone-loving straight guy.
The guys in the movie theater were very intriguing.
The guys in the movie theater were very intriguing.
I thought they added welcome comic relief to an otherwise tense and dark movie..
I thought they added welcome comic relief to an otherwise tense and dark movie..
I saw this movie a few months ago with my German class, and we were rolling on the floors.
At first American audiences might be a little "on edge" when they hear about what the guy does, where he stays, and that he has no idea about the people he is staying with in the beginning.
But after getting into it, you see that what he goes through is just so funny, and you can't believe that he didn't see it coming.
Plus, the Bull Power is all the more reason to go see, or rent, the movie.
I mean I can't believe that they didn't come up with this type of stuff in the U.S. I know a lot of people who would go out and buy it right now if they had the chance.
My friends and I now have a fun time talking/joking with our teacher about the movie, and we randomly bring Red Bull energy drinks to class, just to make him laugh.
Who says that the Germans can't be funny?!.
Because of Germany's past, one might end up believing that the German population never sees any incentive to be humorous.
Axel Feldheim (Til Schweiger) is thrown out by his girlfriend Doro (Katja Riemann) after she finds him cheating on her.
He moves in with his gay friend Norbert Pommer (Joachim Krol).
When Doro tries to talk to Axel and finds out accidentally that Norbert is gay...well you can probably figure that it leads to sort of a wacky predicament.Anyway, the point is that the Germans CAN be funny.
In fact, I believe that this was the first internationally successful German comedy.
And you can't go wrong with gay comedy.
Maybe funnier if you're German, or both German and gay?.
Everything must be taken in context, if possible, and this was based on a popular comic strip by Ralf Koenig -- I'm guessing he's gay, based on other stuff I've seen of his, so whether his work perpetuates stereotypes or is the honest humor of a member of the gay community is not so easy to say.
Anyway, political incorrectness aside, I think of this as a light comedy about relationships, like another Soenke Wortmann films I've seen [Stadtgespraech].
For students of the German language, it was a wonderful opportunity to catch some slang and modern, conversational German that we don't see in deep, intellectual films based on historical or literary sources..
This movie is an example of how good comedy made in Germany can be.
Young actors (back then the upcoming new German stars), funny, yet believable situations and characters which have not been overdone or seem crude.
No matter if gay or straight, if you are not biased against German comedy (or maybe even if you are, and rightly so), watch this one.
Maybe it's not as glamorous or exalted like it's US counterparts - after all, we are conservative here ;-) - it's still worth watching.
Exceptionally well made movie adaptation based on Ralph König's books "Der Bewegte Mann" and "Pretty Baby".
It is true as some have pointed out that this movie is rather hostile towards women and shows gay men as garish caricatures but that is exactly the point, that has always been König's style and any sort of tuning down or added political corectness would have pretty much destroyed the entire idea.
Constant fireworks of witticisms definitely suffers when or if the movie is subtitled but that is unfortunately the case with many films, not just this one and I doubt there is much to do about it unless you're willing to learn German and even then the basics you learn in school might not be enough.
Maybe Not. There is only one reason to watch this film: sexy Til Schweiger.
Unfortunately, these qualities are all but lost in this heavy-handed comedy.
Handsome Axel (Schweiger) works in a 30's-style supper club, presumably to remind us of the wacky social farces of that period.
Axel is a very pretty boy but, looking for a place to stay, he is rebuffed with varying degrees of vehemence by former girlfriends all too familiar with his womanizing.
Alas, Axel's unfortunate coitus interruptus is the inauspicious high point of the movie, with the opening credits barely over.
Axel is adopted by a group of 'thoughtful' gay men in his hour of need.
Norbert, a middle-aged nebbish, gives him a place to stay in hopes that there is a 'maybe'.
What ensues is a series of awkward and tasteless gags, mostly involving Axel's discomfort being around gays.
The gay men are selfish, unattractive, and impossibly flamboyant (in case we miss the point).
Axel is shallow, thoughtless, and virtually monosyllabic, but adorable .When Axel speaks of 'us normal men' we know where the film stands politically.
The gay men appear in female attire much of the time, but speak in caricatured bass voices (in case we miss the point).
Axel is deeply offended when cruised by a gay man in a gay disco; especially surprising as he asked the man for a light and directions to the bathroom, while hot, sweaty, and very sexy in a tight muscle shirt.
'Nuff said.The plot thickens  and so does the humor  when Doro finds that she is pregnant and decides to get Axel back.
Despite this awkward reunion, Axel and Doro get married.
Axel unceremoniously drops Norbert because his wife is 'allergic to gays' .The downward spiral continues unabated.
Axel cheats on Doro yet again, with a woman whose animal stimulants put him a coma.
This is funny?Til Schweiger is scrumptious eye-candy, and looks stunning throughout the film in tight t-shirts, muscle shirts, open shirts, no shirt.
But, in one unfortunate aesthetic choice after another, the odious older men appear in greater states of undress more often than the exquisite young man who makes this peculiar move worth watching.
The ending has a nice feeling and suggests some reconciliation between Norbert and Axel.
Stupid little German sex comedy about hunky Til Schweiger living with gay Joachim Krol after girlfriend Katja Riemann catches him having sex with another girl.
But Krol wants him too...On the plus side--the acting is good and Schweiger (who is very handsome with a great body) has frequent nude scenes.
On the negative side--the movie is silly; reinforces the myth of gay men trying to seduce straight guys; also has us believe that all gay guys LOVE drag; ALSO tells us that gay guys are sex maniacs; demonizes the female characters and has no real ending.
Also none of the comedy was even remotely funny.
Nothing wrong with that and he IS a good actor...but that's not enough to carry the movie.If you can sit through silly dialogue and the dumb plot to see Schweiger nude you won't be disappointed--otherwise you can skip it.
If I understood German I might like this better.
One of the best German movies EVER.
For me as a German it is very interesting to learn about the international reactions on this movie since it is really one of the best German movies of all time.Main Plot: It shows a straight man in the gay world.
By coincidence he is learning about gay people, who "surprisingly" have the same problems and the same life as straight men (love, relationships, friendships etc...) No stereotypes such as promiscuous sex or so, but insights in typical gay behaviors, different gay groups and life in general.
But it is also a funny story about the guy getting back to his girlfiend who thinks that he turned gay...
Hillarios!For me, as a straight guy, it was a fantastic movie.
I really hope that the subtitles are o.k., since a lot of translations of Hollywood movies or TV-series are badly made (e.g. FRIENDS: brilliant in English, but terrible German translation) Enjoy!.
German Comedy At Its Best !.
Der Bewegte Mann (The "Moved" or "Compelled" man in German) is a fun, original, fast paced German gay comedy that was a rare hit with mainstream American audiences.
The film follows the drama of straight hunky beefcake Axel (Til Schweiger) when he is befriended by a well meaning gay in Cologne, who offers him a place to stay when he is kicked out of his girlfriend's apartment.
The film's pace is good and never boring complemented by the perfect soundtrack which is a mix of house and cute German Schlager tunes.
The dialog is clever and quite easy to understand with a little German proficiency.
One of the funniest movies I have seen!.
Very funny and original, even if you don't speak German.
The film is entitled "Maybe, Maybe Not" in English.
This film also introduced me to two of the best actors in the industry-Katja Riemann and Til Schweiger.
Til is starting to appear in Engish speaking films like King Arthur and Deuce Bigalow 2.
This successful highlight of the Reunificated-German-Love-Comedy era doesn't hide any messages, it is new-german shameless humour with higher fun-streams.
Actor Joachim Krol shows his talent, for Till Schweiger it has been his breakthrough in his career..
Great Movie!.
Great Movie!.
Okay, I'm just a sophomore in high school and I take German 3 Honors, and I watched this film over the summer just to view as many German movies as I could.
Rent this movie if youre bored, or just want to have some fun!.
Thoughtful, witty, and bold as far as U.S. films go, Maybe ...
Maybe Not was delightfully original and funny while breaking new ground on once -considered taboo subjects.
The film brought new light to the effects of people of different strengths and backgrounds coming together and making the best of it..
Good German comedy from 20 years ago, many stars at very young age.
"Der bewegte Mann" is maybe director and writer Sönke Wortmann's big breakthrough movie, although "Kleine Haie" was a success as well.
It is based on the comics by Ralf König and won big at the German Film Awards 20 years ago: Feature Film, Direction and lead actor for Joachim Król.
Maybe he got it over Schweiger as he played the much more likable character and for the epic wardrobe scene of course.
And the biggest breakthrough, it must have been for Til Schweiger, under 30 and only known to Lindenstraße audiences at that point.
The only reason Rufus Beck (Waltraud) or Armin Rohde did not win in the supporting category was probably as it did not exist.The movie has lots of dirty humor, some of it obvious, some of it not, for example if his offer still "stands".
Schweiger plays a hetero male who just lost his girlfriend and dives into the gay scene more and more.
What I did not like was that the gays were displayed somewhat simple and dumb as they were obviously not realizing (or did not want to realized) that Schweiger's character wasn't even remotely interested.
My favorite comedic parts were how she always enters when he seems in dubious homoerotic situations.Occasionally, I found it confusing if Schweiger's character wasn't actually gay as the film sometimes tried to make us think that way, but then randomly another woman entered the picture and the love life of Schweiger's character.
Anyway, as a whole, I recommend watching this movie, especially if you are interested in German cinema.
I am not sure if it was good enough to deserved all the accolades it got, but it is a fairly decent film and it was also a huge commercial success being among the three most lucrative films that year in Germany together with classics like "Forrest Gump" and "The Lion King".