"Wunschkinder und andere Zufälle" is a German television film from2003, so not that long anymore until this 1.5-hour film has its 20th anniversary. Nothing to be proud of. Actually, the contrary: It is really embarrassing that this horrible movie is still shown on national television. This is where your GEZ money goes, folks. I assume most people who read this are Germans or at least German-language users because this film will (hopefully) never be shown abroad. Then again, there is a Czech title here, so maybe those poor folks also had the joy to sit through this travesty. The title says it all already pretty much. As clumsy as it gets in its desperate attempt to evoke humor by coming up with twwo words that do not really fit together. It is one of the worst titles I have seen all year and I have seen many. The film is accordingly. This, however, should not surprise anybody who takes a look into the filmographies of director Jacob and writers Hoetzel and Siefert. The vast majority of projects these three have worked on were not good. gently-speaking. The only interesting aspect about them really is that Ina Siefert is apparently more of a composer than a writer and I cannot say if she is any good at that, but writing is definitely not her strength as I have seen from this film here, so good choice from her probably that now she is working in the music department mostly. The actually really embarrasing score (never hits the right notes and tone) is not from her, so I cannot blame her for that. Still, it is always embarrassing to see more than one screen writer work on a script because you'd expecte that they see each other's weaknesses and mistakes, but no, the opposite is true here. It seems they brought out the worst in each other. I really wonder what Maria Herder thought about the outcome here because she wrote the book this film is based on. Actually, apparently it is the only book by her that ever got turned into a movie. Probably not the worst decision. I have a feeling that the base material here was also not exactly high quality. But like so many other times with these German small screen releases, they manage to come up with a cast that actually includes familiar names and faces. German film buffs certainly have come across Kubitschek, Ruland and Cukrowski at least from the cast here, maybe more, all three of them not very gifted actresses though. I'd say Kubitschek is the one who sucks the least, then Cukrowski and finally Ruland. Admittedly, all the performances in this film are so forgettable that nobody really stands out in a positive or negative way, also not one of those I haven't mentioned
Now I want to elaborate a bit on the movie itself, the plot and story and give some examples why I thought it was pretty bad. The key story is already cringeworthy enough. The idea that grandma gives her pompous house to one of her three daughters, the one who gives birth first because granny wants to be an actual granny. Of course, this financial aspect is a brilliant idea to become a mother, especially after pretty much none of the three had ambitions to become one anytime soon. Actually, this background almost sounds as if it was from some fairytale. But no, it is set in the now. And they are completely serious with everything included here. That includes basically two of the girls getting pregnant from one time sex, the explanation how Ruland's character got pregnant because she felt so lonely, the big financial loss from one male character and he wants the house because of that and sell it as soon as possible. Yep, also the drugs he gave his partner to make sure she gives birth first, to accelerate things. Charming. And still she stays with the man at the end. Real love, I suppose. And once again, this is a very anti-male film. While all the female character have likable flaws at best, the men are different. Grandpa is dead already and he could very well be the luckiest of the bunch. The businessman I already describe how likable he is. The guy who returns from Thailand is the epitome of a Tunichtgut as we say here in Germany. You sure understand that. I doubt non-German speakers read here. Just in case, it's a guy who is not really unlikable, but does not really stand for success gently-speaking. Especially in terms of job and profession. Okay, what else is there to say? Oh yeah, the framework wwith the two boys ringing the bell at the beginning and end is also ridiculous in terms of realism. But what is even more ridiculous is that the babies are all born the exact same day. On New Year's Eve in fact. Two of them even at the very same minute. And the third (of course they get a speeding ticket that night) a few minutes earlier. Actually, they should have gone for one minute. Then it would have been even less realistic. Kinda disappointing. Also, the most likable from the three gives birth early. And guess what, she barely has a belly before that. It is so out of nowhere. The bellies from the other two are way bigger and it just makes no sense that they give birth the same day. By the way, there are also estimated dates for pregnancies when the baby is going to come. If they are really that close, it ould have been mentioned before. Oh yeah, I forgot one male. The stubborn one who does not see the woman really likes him. More shaming going on there. But of course, all the guys, in the end, realize what is best for them and everybody is happy and they can keep the house etc. It is ust an utter joke of a movie and let me tell you, not a good one at all. Admittedly, here and there I had to laugh so hard because of how bad it all was and that is not always the case with these films. But it was not intended by the filmmakers. They actually pretend(ed) that they came up with a quality film here pack with emotions that are supposed to touch the audience. It does none of that, let me assure you. The exact opposite is the case and I don't even want to talk about the fact that they made a sequel (apparently not book-based) to this one because I probably would feel an intense urge to throw up when thinking about it. One is one too many already. No doubt about it. Shame on everybody who watched this film when it premiered and whose watch was counted most of all. Unreal stuff. Fat thumbs-down here. Highly, highly not recommended. At least as high as Sears Tower.
Now I want to elaborate a bit on the movie itself, the plot and story and give some examples why I thought it was pretty bad. The key story is already cringeworthy enough. The idea that grandma gives her pompous house to one of her three daughters, the one who gives birth first because granny wants to be an actual granny. Of course, this financial aspect is a brilliant idea to become a mother, especially after pretty much none of the three had ambitions to become one anytime soon. Actually, this background almost sounds as if it was from some fairytale. But no, it is set in the now. And they are completely serious with everything included here. That includes basically two of the girls getting pregnant from one time sex, the explanation how Ruland's character got pregnant because she felt so lonely, the big financial loss from one male character and he wants the house because of that and sell it as soon as possible. Yep, also the drugs he gave his partner to make sure she gives birth first, to accelerate things. Charming. And still she stays with the man at the end. Real love, I suppose. And once again, this is a very anti-male film. While all the female character have likable flaws at best, the men are different. Grandpa is dead already and he could very well be the luckiest of the bunch. The businessman I already describe how likable he is. The guy who returns from Thailand is the epitome of a Tunichtgut as we say here in Germany. You sure understand that. I doubt non-German speakers read here. Just in case, it's a guy who is not really unlikable, but does not really stand for success gently-speaking. Especially in terms of job and profession. Okay, what else is there to say? Oh yeah, the framework wwith the two boys ringing the bell at the beginning and end is also ridiculous in terms of realism. But what is even more ridiculous is that the babies are all born the exact same day. On New Year's Eve in fact. Two of them even at the very same minute. And the third (of course they get a speeding ticket that night) a few minutes earlier. Actually, they should have gone for one minute. Then it would have been even less realistic. Kinda disappointing. Also, the most likable from the three gives birth early. And guess what, she barely has a belly before that. It is so out of nowhere. The bellies from the other two are way bigger and it just makes no sense that they give birth the same day. By the way, there are also estimated dates for pregnancies when the baby is going to come. If they are really that close, it ould have been mentioned before. Oh yeah, I forgot one male. The stubborn one who does not see the woman really likes him. More shaming going on there. But of course, all the guys, in the end, realize what is best for them and everybody is happy and they can keep the house etc. It is ust an utter joke of a movie and let me tell you, not a good one at all. Admittedly, here and there I had to laugh so hard because of how bad it all was and that is not always the case with these films. But it was not intended by the filmmakers. They actually pretend(ed) that they came up with a quality film here pack with emotions that are supposed to touch the audience. It does none of that, let me assure you. The exact opposite is the case and I don't even want to talk about the fact that they made a sequel (apparently not book-based) to this one because I probably would feel an intense urge to throw up when thinking about it. One is one too many already. No doubt about it. Shame on everybody who watched this film when it premiered and whose watch was counted most of all. Unreal stuff. Fat thumbs-down here. Highly, highly not recommended. At least as high as Sears Tower.
