Yesterday I took a risk. I walked into my local library browsed through the foreign DVD section and picked a random movie based off its cover. Normally I don’t judge most things by its cover, but then I saw the title of the movie and it got me intrigued. So I picked it up and read the synopsis on the back and thought to myself, ok this seems like it’s going to be a solid flick. The movie is entitled The Edukators (Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei), and it’s a German film from 2004 that has won a few German film awards delivered by a pretty solid cast. The movie is a tad deceptive from the synopsis you get on the back of the DVD cover. To find out why
The Edukators is directed by Hans Weingartner and stars Daniel Brühl (Inglorious Basterds), Julia Jentsch (Downfall), Stipe Erceg and Burghart Klaußner (Downfall). Synopsis: When the rich go on vacation, The Edukators break into their homes. They don’t steal, but simply rearrange everything, leaving the message “your days of plenty are numbered.” When Peter’s girlfriend Jule moves in, she joins [the duo] in their subversive activities. But when a rich businessman catches them in the act, they rashly decide to kidnap him. (DVD back cover)
I know, it does sound kind of interesting but as I will soon describe, the synopsis is a bit deceptive. I’ll start off with the acting and parts of the story which I hated and then give you my overall opinion. The acting was, on the whole, not to bad for what I was expecting. I have only seen one movie for three of the four actors and I can’t really recall their performances because they were supporting roles in films that I haven’t watched in a while. In The Edukators, Jule (Julia Jentsch) did a fine job making me hate her throughout the entire movie. Slight SPOILER ahead but it’s nothing you can’t figure out on your own before it happens. Jule is the root of every problem in this movie. She doesn’t come off as if she is going to be the lead in the movie but it seems as if she unknowingly does. If it weren’t for her, this movie probably would never exist and it’s her problems, which continually add up, that allow this movie to move forward. Other than the stupidity of her actions the movies events move forward slowly and you begin to realize that this revolutionary adventure becomes more of a trifecta love story between Jule, Jan (Daniel Bruhl) and Peter (Stripe Erceg).
Jan and Peter are pretty cool cats throughout the most of the movie. Both performances I rather enjoyed regardless of the problems that erupt. It is amazing to see this story unfold and why The Edukators do what they do. They want to start a revolution based off of a slight fear. They break into rich homes hoping that fear will scare the people into rethinking their lifestyle. It is creepy to know that someone has been in your house without anyone knowing or any alarms going off even in their high security neighborhood. It is this thought that they are hoping goes viral. The revolution they speak of throughout the movie has many valid points that are similar to the tendencies of the 60s revolutionary atmosphere across the western world. Unfortunately, we aren’t exposed to the real truth and purpose of this revolution and ideology until about 75 minutes into the movie. I tried hard to not let the slow pace and extended scenes get to me but by the end it was hard not to be tired from the lengthy drama. If the film was shortened I guarantee it would be better. I say this because scenes with the hostage lasted for at least a week but the annoying parts is that we go through each day of that week so things get repetitive especially in the beginning of the hostage holding.
I hate to say this, but I feel this might be one movie where I wouldn’t mind an American remake simply because I think there is potential for it to be a better movie. The only thing I would change is the director because it would be interesting to see another take on this original idea of making a nonviolent point to upper class society.
Overall, this movie was simply ok. I really liked the story and principles behind it but the director could have executed it better. There was a lot more romance than anticipated so if you go in knowing that you might not be so disappointed. I also was simply annoyed with the root of the problem and how everything could have been avoided, but hey that’s how the story goes every time.
Rating: An original and ideological drama that wins in story but fails in execution
Recent Comments