Advertising Rules! (2001) User Reviews

disappointing

[porbeagle_zen · 5/10 · 9 October 2006]

I tend not to be disappointed by films, since I usually have an intuitive sense on whether it will be good or not. But "Viktor Vogel" ,or as it's known in the States, "Advertising Rules!" (??) really let me down.

For the first two thirds, I was really into the movie, even though the melodrama was typical and the main conflict was telegraphed from about 500 miles away. The situations were amusing. The characters were likable. It seemed to bring up some good points about the nature of consumerism and the purpose of one's life, which is more than you can ask from any given American film. But the last third slowed down significantly, and suddenly I became very bored. The ending, however, blew me away, in the worst possible way.

I imagine the filmmakers standing around the set with a deadline looming and an incomplete script:

"Man, I don't know how to end this damn movie! How are we supposed to solve the conflict? It's so huge!"

"Well, let's have really random things come out of nowhere so the audience will go, 'Hey, that makes me think!' And then we'll end it right there, with no explanation as to what happened in the last five minutes."

Don't get me wrong, I love weird, funky twists and weird, funky movies, but "Viktor Vogel" was not able to pull it off. It was like a pilot for a network comedy, only for the last ten minutes to be written by David Lynch at 2 AM, who had not read the beginning of the script.

Enjoy it for what it is, but don't get your hopes up that it gets tied together at the end.

5/10

Not that bad.

[insomniac_rod · 7/10 · 25 November 2007]

A movie that is not intended to be funny but tries to talk about how sacrificing fortune and fame for art is worth some problems (big problems).

Viktor Vogel manages to experience fortune, recognition, not honest attitudes (cheating others' ideas for publicity/advertising), and even getting kicked out of the place where he lived.

Overall this is a fresh dramatic-comedy feature that does not tries to be more than what it is. I thought this was an indie film but the distribution company behind it makes it worldwide available.

I caught it on a local Mexican t.v. channel at 4:00 a.m. and I had the kind of entertainment I expected for that hour.

Recommended for people who enjoy light tragic comedies.

Commercial

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 25 April 2020]

This is quite cliche ridden, but still enjoyable to a degree, if you don't mind that. The actors are good and the story predictable. The movie might be a testament of its time, but it also is just another comedy - though the addition of Götz George will be a delight for quite a few watching it.

Having said that, there is conflict, there is resolution and there is coincidence and there is quite the weird behavior. Still bad decisions aside and quite a few characters (maybe one or two too many) being disposable, this was still fun to watch. There is some criticism and there is sort of social commentary, but it's not overly heavy - for better or worse

Where's Ben Stiller?

[groggo · 2/10 · 5 May 2007]

When I rented this mess, I neglected to notice that it was released worldwide by Columbia Pictures-Sony. As soon as I saw this on the screen, I knew what I was in for: yet another formulaic Hollywood-style 'comedy' (excuse the expression) dressed up in the German language.

Advertising Rules (AKA Viktor Vogel) is only occasionally funny, and is full of American references and 'comic situations' (we've seen similar scenes in roughly 500 'comedies,' give or take, churned out by Hollywood in the past 20 years alone). Included in the usual suspect list are some of the same weary visual clichés that are varied in Advertising Rules only slightly (attempt at 'freshness' I guess) -- there's the frantic (and obligatory) out-of-control car crash, a chase in a supermarket (complete with dumbkopf cops), a brawl that ends up in garbage heap, a 'hero' (hapless of course, what else?) who gets smacked in the kisser at least four times, a hero who demonstrates the use of a chainsaw and -- what a shock!! -- sees it go out of control and destroy a table. I could go on and on (vacuous insights into the world of advertising; crusty veteran ad man throws young wannabe on his keister in the opening scenes, ends up being a father figure toward the end; sweet-as-candy, talented Hepburnesque gamin falls for dorky 'hero').

You've seen it all before. Here it is again, replete with German voices. The same movie could easily have been made in Hollywood (maybe a remake is already underway -- something with, say, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell or Jack Black as the lead actor and Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow or Katie Holmes as the ever-so-sweet love interest.

If you're like me (i.e. long ago fed up with derivative, repetitive, juvenile 12-20 age-group drivel that passes for 'adult' comedy in Hollywood), you'll be more vigilant in selecting films that are released internationally by major American studios. If you don't, what you'll almost inevitably get is yet another Hollywood movie with very 'safe,' by-the-numbers story lines. Exhibit 'A' is this film.

funny?!

[mondenkinder · 2/10 · 25 April 2001]

One of the sentences you learn going to a filmschool is: "A comedy is only a comedy if someone is laughing. If nobody is laughing, then it is not a comedy. It is something else."

I think this is what best fits for this film. It is a story about a young guy (Viktor Vogel, whyever this comic-name) seeking a job in a big commercial company. He finally gets there, but only because the company needs him to make a deal with Opel. After the deal has gone, he is kind of thrown out.

That's the story. I don't think it's funny. Let alone all those little things like the (german) synchronization, of the mumbling voice of Götz George, of all the stereotyped characters without any depth nor wound. The film was okay if it would have been broadcast on the television. But it simply doesn't fit into a cinema room. For this it is too "small".

I'd recommend this film only for: how not to make a funny film.

A young man trying in the world of advertising.

[cmyklefty · 17 March 2002]

Viktor Vogel is a young man who want to work in an advertising agency. He has fresh ideas for the agency. Eddie Kaminsky is a man who needs a new idea to stay on top. Kaminsky needs Viktor's unique outlook on advertising and Viktor needs Kaminsky's years experience in work force. Together might a good team with the help of Viktor's girlfriend Rosa. I think the movie went slow in some parts in the story, but it has potential plot in the film. The ending was a little strange, nevertheless it worth checking out.

The film is not too far away from what it criticizes

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 19 October 2017]

"Viktor Vogel - Commercial Man" is a German film from 2001, so this had its 15th anniversary last year. It is the first theatrical release by writer and director Lars Kraume and the Italian/German filmmaker was still in his 20s when this came out. Having seen some of his more recent stuff, there is no denying that he clearly stepped up his game since then as his Fritz Bauer film was top-notch for example. This one here not so much. In these 105 minutes, we follow the life of a young man and how he breaks through on the professional level in the world of advertising, but at the same time deteriorates in terms of his likability and drifts away from his friends and the girl he loves. This case of morally questionable behavior through success in business is one you could witness in many many films already and I think most of the time it was better than here. This may also have to do with the fact that I didn't like lead actor Scheer a whole lot, but maybe it wasn't him, but the way the character was written. The supporting cast doesn't add much more either. Chulpan Khamatova's felt a bit odd and the fact that Schrader wasn't as bad as usual doesn't mean she was good.

Apart from that, the story was also way too fast. It could have worked as a mini-series perhaps. But not as one film. The way the romance and friendship struggles were rushed in did not feel too great. And honestly the entire character transformation of Viktor did not feel authentic and same can be said about the career path rising quickly and then falling as quickly towards the end. It was all just too much for one film and honestly it also takes considerably away from how seriously you can take this film. In my opinion, it is more on the drama than on the comedy side. There were many scenes that sucked, but lets just mention one, namely when he presents his hunter supermarket idea for the first time and Schrader's character and the others immediately stand up, so we think she must have really hated it, but in fact she loved it. There is a great deal of make-believe in this one sadly. If there is anything this film succeeds at, then it is pointless entertainment, but as a character study or as even a film critical about current society, it is not even close to a success. And with the latter I mean the reference to how everybody in the business world is interchangeable and that it is a cold and ruthless place to exist. It never gets below the surface to that regard and that's a negative deal breakers as succeeding there is one of the major ambitions. To end the review still on a positive note, it can be noted that Götz George once again elevates the material here every time he is on screen and that he gives a bold portrayal that turns a pretty gimmicky character into something truly interesting. You never know with him if he is friend or foe. But George alone is not enough to make up for all the weaknesses here and the overall outcome. I cannot recommend checking it out. Instead I give it a thumbs-down and suggest you watch something else instead.

So nice!

[ladyvalerie_15 · 8/10 · 16 December 2007]

I'm studying Mass Communication major in Broacasting. For me, Commercial man" is a very wonderful film. Our professor let us watch this film and told us to make a reaction paper. (as usual). Anyway, it just shows reality. Though there are some dull scenes there, Their advertising escapades really made a blast to all the viewers especially to people inclined to advertising. Ther challenging job really makes advertising world can be called as "adventure".. The end of the story was quite boring, because "Bunny to a dove". OK,i don't take it literally, at least they should have a closure about it. Somehow, they left a question mark hanging to every viewers mind. I guess that's quite nice.

Refreshing non-Hollywood cinematic view of advertising and life

[sewnmouthsecret · 10/10 · 9 March 2002]

I've longed for a refreshing view of an advertising film, as they are always portrayed perversely, portraying the advertising firm as evil, comedic, half-rate, not serious as a business, etc.

Truth is, Advertising Rules! was a graceful view of life in the advertising biz. It showed a young man, Viktor Vogel, sneak his way into a huge firm and steal away the client's hearts using brilliant ideas, all the while stealing away the heart of a young girl.

It is just great.

Viktor Vogel

[yassineo · 8/10 · 24 February 2005]

"Viktor Vogel" is an excellent (German) movie about the (often shady) world of advertising. Very up to the point, very ironic, sarcastic, but realistic. The film is full of humor both British and German style. And the actress is very beautiful!!!! In short,it is the story of a young and talented art director (Viktor Vogel) who wants to work in an advertising agency, but the managers don't pay attention to him. However the lady who represents an automotive company who is the client of the advertising company, likes the style and ideas of Viktor and Viktor finds also precious inspiration in the young and beautiful artist Rosa Braun, who will help him find secure a bright future thanks to her ideas. In fact, Viktor and Rosa are totally complementary, idealistic and talented persons in a competitive world. Nice love story and nice story about the world of advertising.

A good example of sacrificing art for fame

[petr-17 · 9/10 · 22 August 2005]

This is a very insightful film. The lead actor, Alexander Scheer, is the ultimate casting choice. He portrays physically a geek like nobody else. The film itself examines the rapid accent into popularity and money, the selling of original values and building a fake existence.

It is humorous and follows a realistic ideology. The two scenes that form the core of the film is the guerrilla filming in the super market (with the subtext of war journalism) and the subsequent weekend, which forms a nostalgic look on youth with an older character (as opposed to an observing role.)

Götz George provides the excellent effigy of lost but regained youth and principle. Chulpan Khamatova is perfect as the perky pseudo-rebellious artist with rich and disapproving parents.

A film worthwhile seeing more than once, first to enjoy and then to analyze.

Awesome!

[kneazles · 10/10 · 17 October 2004]

As a girl from a German-Swiss background with absolutely no grasp of the German language, I just happen to ADORE this movie. I saw it on Deustchwella (I believe) a good couple of years ago, but decided to rent it from Blockbuster again. I am so glad I did -- this movie has a message and shows how people can become greedy in an ever-changing, up-to-date advertising world where being cutting edge is "in" and old fashioned is "out."

Viktor Vogel is a beautifully complex character that isn't two dimensional; he actually has substance which I find that North American films are lacking in spades. You can relate to him and his quest for the perfect career as a Creative Designer in Brainstorm, and you watch his transition from good guy to executive bad guy -- only which will he choose at the end?

Eddie is a great character representing old world traditions and a love for the cutting edge that was "cool" way back when. Longing for that spark to come back into advertising, he loathes Viktor's laid back approach as any elder employee who was a big shot would to a threatening younger employee.

However, this movie just plain ROCKS. I love the way that the director Kraume goes from tripod to hand-held is reminiscent of Tarantino and Cuaron's styles. Overall, a 5/5 stars, even with English subtitles. After all, where else am I to learn my German better than in movies?

cute little film

[Jedi Clerk · 29 May 2002]

As I said... I thought this movie was cute... my fiancee and myself enjoyed it immensely. It's not groundbreaking or earthshattering by any means but this film has a good heart. It's sort of basically like 'Trainspotting' meets 'How To Get Ahead In Advertising' German-style. Any movie that has the guts to poke at the soft white underbelly of the corporate advertising beast is alright with me.

An interesting note is that in this movie which is about not making compromises to big-money ad clients they changed the North American title to 'Advertising Rules' and there is sort of a gratuitous disclaimer in the beginning pointing this fact out. How ironic that some advertising exec (who obviously didn't pay attention to the film's message) felt the need to change the name...

Sehr witzig! (Very funny!)

[tinskies03 · 9/10 · 28 January 2004]

I found that this movie was very light-hearted and hysterical. I am in the German Club at my school (being a German speaker) and found this movie to be one of the funniest I have seen yet. Simply wonderful. The story is good, the actors are convincing, and the end is strange yet happy. An overall enjoyable film!

Spoilers!!!!!!! A different ending

[StupidMick-1 · 30 January 2004]

Spoilers!!!!

I think the ending would have been better if after he goes to the big meeting it shows him at his desk and A man ask him what "is it like to save the whole company", and he just smiles and says "Have I ever told you about my Father" And then the movie ends without showing what idea he pitched

If death was just a long sleep with everlasting dreams, couldnt we be dead now.

Ironic

[chebert · 1 April 2002]

If you're in advertising (like I am), or are about to get into advertising you should check out this movie. If you're not interested in it then don't bother. There are so few movies around that get into the business of advertising. From the pitch to idea development to a campaign rollout, it's kinda cool to see it in the movies...and in a mostly hip and humorous way. As one of the other reviewers said, it's not REALLY all that funny...but it made me chuckle.