This 1971 film would be the turning point in Rainer Werner Fassbinder's career. A scathing portrait of a man crushed by societal pressures. The film purposely mixes 1970's with 1950's Germany in which the story takes place.
Fassbinder also applies his staged and often stilted style which actually works in the film's favor. His two leading actors are outstanding, Hans Hirschmüller and Irm Hermann manage to push beyond the artifice to something very real.
It has been said that much of this film's success is owed to Fassbinder's inspiration ultimate meeting with Douglas Sirk. While this may be the case, this film is astoundingly unique. The director would go on to make even more potent films, but this was the first fully-formed vision.
A film not to be missed.
Fassbinder also applies his staged and often stilted style which actually works in the film's favor. His two leading actors are outstanding, Hans Hirschmüller and Irm Hermann manage to push beyond the artifice to something very real.
It has been said that much of this film's success is owed to Fassbinder's inspiration ultimate meeting with Douglas Sirk. While this may be the case, this film is astoundingly unique. The director would go on to make even more potent films, but this was the first fully-formed vision.
A film not to be missed.