annev Reviews

Kamikaze 89 (1982)

Does it get any worse?

[1/10 · 11 July 2006]

This must be one of the worst films I have ever seen! There is no beginning, no story, and no end! What on earth went through Nicole Heesters mind when she accepted that part, is beyond me. An otherwise brilliant actress has her biggest - an until now only - genuine fiasco.

If it shows anything, it's the mess in Fassbinders mind near the end of his life. So many cliché's, I'm surprised I watched it 'till the end. I suppose that's because of the clothes, which is an interesting study of the extremes of the time. I suppose you could also see inspector Jansen as a parody, which might make it a bit more bearable, but the storyline is still too thin to make it worth while.

Sandra Maischberger trifft Leni Riefenstahl (2002 TV Movie)

Surprisingly uncritical acclaim

[11 May 2004]

A surprisingly uncritical Sandra Maischberger lends a sympathetic (adoring?) ear to Leni Riefenstahl, who half a century later still things she did nothing wrong as an outstanding film director of Hitlers achievements during the war. If you want to remember what happened, listen to the horrible words that comes out of her mouth. What ever happened to Maischbergers journalistic background? Unfortunately, it doesn't show here.

The film shows in detail how an enormous talent was misused to show the supposedly superiority of the white race. Although LR in the last years of her life started taking photos in Africa, her views on racial separation remains apparent. Only her underwater photos lets you forget for a few moments, that her reputation remains that of Hitlers campaign maker.

Miss Morison's Ghosts (1981 TV Movie)

A masterpiece!

[10/10 · 22 October 2003]

I'm not a big fan of paranormal stories, but this is different. Not just because Hannah Gordon manages to astonish me once again. She is absolutely brilliant in this interesting historic scenario, and next to Dame Wendy Hiller, they put together a masterpiece. The two women, as different as they are, make a very intreaging couple, given the time the story is taking place - and an interesting portrait of women a hundred years ago in britain. I just love that speech Gordon makes to the students in the end - she is indeed better than the lot of them put together - that goes for Hannah Gordon as well as the character she plays. Wendy Hiller's mimic is absolutely excellent too.

Wer liebt, hat Recht (2002 TV Movie)

Magnificent!

[10/10 · 15 October 2003]

Iris Berben is extremely popular in Germany, before this film I never understood why, but here she is nothing less but MAGNIFICENT! The story of a woman who's husband is having a baby with another woman sounds banal, but is everything but that. The story is very well written, with an ending that is both surprising and thought-provoking. All the actors are doing a terrific job, and Robert Atzorns unworldliness opposite Berbens slightly hysterical character makes this movie an absolute must.

Ausgerechnet Zoé (1994 TV Movie)

Good theme, but manuscript :-(

[4/10 · 15 October 2003]

Although Nicole Heesters always makes a movie worth seeing, her part is not big enough (and not interesting enough) so make this otherwise rather boring story worth while. The HIV theme could have been interesting, but the manuscript is simply not good enough, and even the greatest actors can not change that.

Telford's Change (1979)

Relationship drama at its best

[15 October 2003]

Almost every series I can thin of is being re-run over and over again, but this series disappeared after just one showing, although (or because?) it belongs in the category of one of the best made relationship-dramas, made the British way, with Hannah Gordon as the woman loosening up while the son is growing independent, and a husband who has kept the "stif-upper-lip". Barkworth next to Hannah Gordon definitely makes this series worth re-running (BBC PLEASE! LISTEN), although the environment - particularly the local bank - is somewhat out of date (or maybe just typical british?). Barkworth and Gordon are both at their best, which says a great deal. His speach near the end to/about the wife's lover is so sarcastic and well played, that I still remember it 24 years later!

Lamorte (1997 TV Movie)

Nicole Heesters at her best

[9/10 · 11 September 2003]

Nicole Heesters is without a doubt germany's best actress, such a pity Xaver Schwarzenberger so far is the only film director willing to give her a part like this (unlike the theatres!).

The best of the best among german (and austrian) actresses together in this film about how terminal illness can be tackled. A group of very different women meets at a reunion after 30 years of graduation, arranged by Iris (Heesters). All the other women in the group go through the film affected and changed by Iris' illness and courage - and a lot wiser about their own lives and relationships (or lack of them).