This is one of those films that just draws you in. As a Fan of Max Riemelt, I feel that he was such a good choice for this film. That is to say; he has this wonderful way of expressing internal struggle through subtle but meaningful expression.
As for the writers, I thought this was an interesting look into the Psychology of this kind of person. The struggle was so palpable. As the viewer we want him to make the right choice and not hurt anyone, which actually makes the character more relatable because he too wants to make the right choices even through his struggles. While I know most people would cringe at the idea of a Pedophile being relatable, I think it is an excellent way to become more invested in the story.
Another review stated that there wasn't enough backstory, but I like that it wasn't added. To create a story around his past, would mean either justifying or vilifying the character's intentions and I don't feel like that was what the movie was focused on. It took a simple look at the idea of what a person would go through, what the struggles were and how they would handle the pressure. To say that maybe he had been abused in the past would mean, his thoughts and actions are not his fault and just a result of his upbringing. Whereas, with this viewpoint you just accept it as a fact of something rather than a causality.
As for Wolf, I feel that this comparison to an animal that is all alone is a good metaphor for what he must feel. He has no control over his nature, only his actions. The wolf behind a fence so obviously explains the predator he keeps caged inside himself. Then, later when he is trying to make his final decision, this time you see the wolf running free as if to say he will finally let the predator out. Finally, by the end, it is implied that he would rather off himself. I think this was a marvelous back and forth at the end and still there is no final definitive proof as to what he actually ended up doing. Which was absolutely perfect for the overall narrative of 'Will he?' 'Won't he." Whereas, more of the struggle was the character's knowledge of why it is not only wrong in societal views, but in his own emotional state. He had commented that he "Loved" the boy, meaning he would never want to hurt him with further proof by his conversation with another person who encouraged the behavior.
I could go on further about the overall story, but I think I've spoken enough. Good Movie, great casting!
As for the writers, I thought this was an interesting look into the Psychology of this kind of person. The struggle was so palpable. As the viewer we want him to make the right choice and not hurt anyone, which actually makes the character more relatable because he too wants to make the right choices even through his struggles. While I know most people would cringe at the idea of a Pedophile being relatable, I think it is an excellent way to become more invested in the story.
Another review stated that there wasn't enough backstory, but I like that it wasn't added. To create a story around his past, would mean either justifying or vilifying the character's intentions and I don't feel like that was what the movie was focused on. It took a simple look at the idea of what a person would go through, what the struggles were and how they would handle the pressure. To say that maybe he had been abused in the past would mean, his thoughts and actions are not his fault and just a result of his upbringing. Whereas, with this viewpoint you just accept it as a fact of something rather than a causality.
As for Wolf, I feel that this comparison to an animal that is all alone is a good metaphor for what he must feel. He has no control over his nature, only his actions. The wolf behind a fence so obviously explains the predator he keeps caged inside himself. Then, later when he is trying to make his final decision, this time you see the wolf running free as if to say he will finally let the predator out. Finally, by the end, it is implied that he would rather off himself. I think this was a marvelous back and forth at the end and still there is no final definitive proof as to what he actually ended up doing. Which was absolutely perfect for the overall narrative of 'Will he?' 'Won't he." Whereas, more of the struggle was the character's knowledge of why it is not only wrong in societal views, but in his own emotional state. He had commented that he "Loved" the boy, meaning he would never want to hurt him with further proof by his conversation with another person who encouraged the behavior.
I could go on further about the overall story, but I think I've spoken enough. Good Movie, great casting!