109 reviews
Even though I live in Germany, it's been years since I have watched a German movie. The local cinema and made-for-TV movie market is saturated by cheaply produced romcoms and documentary-style WW2-movies. 'Who Am I' caught my attention with its very different theme. And it turned out being a very enjoyable watch. The first interrogation theme felt a bit overacted and over-directed to me and made me worry if they would try to hard to be "cool and different", but luckily the movie quickly found a good pace and well-balanced direction. It moves at a fast pace, with quite some jumps forth and back in time, but the director keeps it well structured, so that the audience doesn't get lost in the twists and turns. The visual effects are very well done, I especially liked the visuals of the 'dark net', depicting the online interaction between hackers as scenes in an underground train. There are some minor plot holes, and I found myself able to guess some things which would happen next, but the end of the movie will manage to surprise most viewers (now, how often can you say that any more?), and the fast pace and compelling characters (throughout well acted) will keep you hooked. This isn't a groundbreaking movie, but I see good potential for it to draw the attention of an international audience, which hopefully will lead to some more German movies in he near future who also dare to address unusual themes.
- maximenigma
- Oct 27, 2014
- Permalink
I haven't seen a big amount of them (probably to due because not many of them are made) but the ones I have seen have, even if they were somewhat entertaining they always seem to fail on the technology-aspect to the point that you wonder if the scriptwriters even have used a computer at some times.
Here it's pretty clear that the script-writer has a lot of knowledge of how hacking works and computers in general, even though I'm sure that some who know the field still have a lot to complain about but for the average Joe in the technical aspects of computer technology most things makes sense.
As far as the whole story goes, I mean sure it's not as realistic as it would be if someone would document the life of a hacker surely and it's more of a thriller than a drama but it's not all that far-fetched that you roll your eyes or anything and it entertains most certainly.
Acting is stellar as well.
So yeah even if you are getting second thoughts when you find out that it's a German movie, it's definitely worth going through the 'tough task' of reading subtitles I assure you and no I haven't seen an English speaking hacker-movie that tops this one so yes definitely recommended.
Here it's pretty clear that the script-writer has a lot of knowledge of how hacking works and computers in general, even though I'm sure that some who know the field still have a lot to complain about but for the average Joe in the technical aspects of computer technology most things makes sense.
As far as the whole story goes, I mean sure it's not as realistic as it would be if someone would document the life of a hacker surely and it's more of a thriller than a drama but it's not all that far-fetched that you roll your eyes or anything and it entertains most certainly.
Acting is stellar as well.
So yeah even if you are getting second thoughts when you find out that it's a German movie, it's definitely worth going through the 'tough task' of reading subtitles I assure you and no I haven't seen an English speaking hacker-movie that tops this one so yes definitely recommended.
- Seth_Rogue_One
- Dec 3, 2015
- Permalink
I am German but usually I don't like most of the German movies. To slow, to toned down no emphasis on score, lack of creativity. And then I saw the trailer for Who am I. I went to the movie theater fixed to hate it. But I didn't. Because aside from the movie taking place in Germany and having German actors it comes across like a Hollywood movie.
First the cast. Tom Schilling delivers a really good performance as the outsider, shy, invisible for everybody. - Elyas M'Barek, well he does what he can, he is being the cool guy with some cool lines but thats about it. - Wotan Wilke Möhring is always great no exception this time. Bulked up, tattooed all over, very funny even though he has not that many lines. - Antoine Monot Jr. also very funny. - Trine Dyrholm very believable in her role, achieving very much with very little - Hannah Herzsprung sadly is terrible in this movie. She just doesn't fit in that role
Why is that movie good? Welll it has all the components. 1)A good script not outstanding but good. 2)Some good actors 3)a very cool soundtrack. You have this recurring theme you also hear in the trailer. And another theme that to be honest is very very similar to one from the dark knight. Still good. :-) And its not often that you remember a score of German movie. 4)Visuel effects and camera - camera: some really nice pans, tilts etc. 5) visual effects: benjamin takes ritalin and that is kind of like the movie is constructed. you have this wild parties, with slow motions and the electronic music underlining the whole "never-sleep-always-in-action" theme. Especially the "chatrooms" shown as a subway wagon where the hackers come together, great visual
I heard someone who didn't like the movie saying that after the movie there is nothing you think about for maybe one or two day. Well thats something you shouldn't expect from this movie. This is not a movie saying people watch what you do surfing through the net. Its not like enemy of the state. Its about hackers. And not even that. Its an action thriller and sometimes a drama. About a boy trying to make in impact in the world trying to get recognized. Its a popcorn movie. And of course there a better ones but if you look at the German movie market you won't find a better one. Finally we can be cool. :-)
First the cast. Tom Schilling delivers a really good performance as the outsider, shy, invisible for everybody. - Elyas M'Barek, well he does what he can, he is being the cool guy with some cool lines but thats about it. - Wotan Wilke Möhring is always great no exception this time. Bulked up, tattooed all over, very funny even though he has not that many lines. - Antoine Monot Jr. also very funny. - Trine Dyrholm very believable in her role, achieving very much with very little - Hannah Herzsprung sadly is terrible in this movie. She just doesn't fit in that role
Why is that movie good? Welll it has all the components. 1)A good script not outstanding but good. 2)Some good actors 3)a very cool soundtrack. You have this recurring theme you also hear in the trailer. And another theme that to be honest is very very similar to one from the dark knight. Still good. :-) And its not often that you remember a score of German movie. 4)Visuel effects and camera - camera: some really nice pans, tilts etc. 5) visual effects: benjamin takes ritalin and that is kind of like the movie is constructed. you have this wild parties, with slow motions and the electronic music underlining the whole "never-sleep-always-in-action" theme. Especially the "chatrooms" shown as a subway wagon where the hackers come together, great visual
I heard someone who didn't like the movie saying that after the movie there is nothing you think about for maybe one or two day. Well thats something you shouldn't expect from this movie. This is not a movie saying people watch what you do surfing through the net. Its not like enemy of the state. Its about hackers. And not even that. Its an action thriller and sometimes a drama. About a boy trying to make in impact in the world trying to get recognized. Its a popcorn movie. And of course there a better ones but if you look at the German movie market you won't find a better one. Finally we can be cool. :-)
- PaxtonMalloy
- Sep 27, 2014
- Permalink
My German is somewhat average, and yet, I try to watch a German film now and again so that my wife gets a chance to see something in her native tongue (and I get to have a bit of practice).
I have to say that this film was an enjoyable watch.
I felt that the film has a far better interpretation of technical topics than both Sneakers and Hackers.
The thing I liked most about this film was that the choice of actors was complementary to the script and everything seemed to gel together to make a believable experience.
Great acting and storyline, enjoyable until the very end!
Watch it!
PS: For a geek-in-the-know, there are always cringe-worthy moments, but this film kept it to a minimum!
I have to say that this film was an enjoyable watch.
I felt that the film has a far better interpretation of technical topics than both Sneakers and Hackers.
The thing I liked most about this film was that the choice of actors was complementary to the script and everything seemed to gel together to make a believable experience.
Great acting and storyline, enjoyable until the very end!
Watch it!
PS: For a geek-in-the-know, there are always cringe-worthy moments, but this film kept it to a minimum!
- johnbettiol
- Oct 18, 2014
- Permalink
It's not often that you get a genre movie in Germany. And even less times the result is any good. Fortunately they did get it this time. The lead actor has not the strength to pull it off completely (if you have watched a lot of thrillers, you know where this is heading and it makes no sense at all, even with explanations). But overall the acting is more than fine by the whole cast.
Making a thriller out of hacking is not an easy task. But visually the movie did find a way to give us an in to chat rooms (hidden and otherwise), with a very clever trick. It wouldn't be the same just seeing people type things on a keyboard. There are other things that work out nicely too. I was pleasantly surprised, even if I felt that the movie tried to be a bit too clever for its own good at the end. Give us more of that please
Making a thriller out of hacking is not an easy task. But visually the movie did find a way to give us an in to chat rooms (hidden and otherwise), with a very clever trick. It wouldn't be the same just seeing people type things on a keyboard. There are other things that work out nicely too. I was pleasantly surprised, even if I felt that the movie tried to be a bit too clever for its own good at the end. Give us more of that please
German movies are not often comparable to the international standard, but in the last 2 years the trend goes bottom-up.
The movie gains us an insight into the life of young hackers and their ambitions. Thy visualization of the meetings in the web with other hackers are very good pictured.
The plot of who Am I is very complex. At the beginning it doesn't look so deep, but while it comes to conclusion the movie shows us his high-class.
The actors with a authentic Tom Schilling and the affected Elyas M'Barek are also properly elected. The characters are very different, what creates varied dialogs. All in all Who am i is a must-see for all Germans and a very good movie for international thriller fans.
The movie gains us an insight into the life of young hackers and their ambitions. Thy visualization of the meetings in the web with other hackers are very good pictured.
The plot of who Am I is very complex. At the beginning it doesn't look so deep, but while it comes to conclusion the movie shows us his high-class.
The actors with a authentic Tom Schilling and the affected Elyas M'Barek are also properly elected. The characters are very different, what creates varied dialogs. All in all Who am i is a must-see for all Germans and a very good movie for international thriller fans.
- twentyhonor
- Oct 12, 2014
- Permalink
- Horst_In_Translation
- Oct 26, 2014
- Permalink
"Who Am I" is a German cyber-crime mindfak thriller whose story I can not go into too much because of the risk of spoilers. The film is technically competent, the acting is good, the tempo and music will drive you and keep your attention without a problem. The story itself seems to be a classic seven, but multiple plot-twists at the very end have thrilled me. Through film permeate almost unnoticeable homages to a cult 'Fight Club', that will, if you notice them, lead you to assume the outcome of this story. You will guess wrong. Only before the very end I finally understood some seemingly insignificant details and solved the puzzle... again wrong. Now, after the second viewing, I'm not so enthusiastic as I was the first time, which is expected for mindfak based on the unexpected twists and turns, but far from that I was bored and I enjoyed it from start to finish. The most sincere recommendation.
8/10
8/10
- Bored_Dragon
- Apr 5, 2019
- Permalink
I am German. So I know Germany doesn't really make a whole lot of good or just even watchable films. Well but this sure is a watchable movie.
I have seen the movie back in 2014 when it came to the cinemas here and I was blown away by it. I've never really seen such a great film made by a German movie studio. And it's not only good for a German movie. It's good overall.
Hacker movies often are boring and not well made. Here that is not the case. Hacking is showed how it is really done and it makes sense and does not look silly. The action is well done and everything is well acted. The cast is interesting and all characters are different from each other. That makes for an amazing ride that you can't take your eyes off.
The end of this movie is really Christopher Nolan like and you don't know what the HACK you've just seen. I love it so much.
You can go see this movie more than just once, you can easily see if like five or six times in my opinion. So have fun and give this a chance.
I have seen the movie back in 2014 when it came to the cinemas here and I was blown away by it. I've never really seen such a great film made by a German movie studio. And it's not only good for a German movie. It's good overall.
Hacker movies often are boring and not well made. Here that is not the case. Hacking is showed how it is really done and it makes sense and does not look silly. The action is well done and everything is well acted. The cast is interesting and all characters are different from each other. That makes for an amazing ride that you can't take your eyes off.
The end of this movie is really Christopher Nolan like and you don't know what the HACK you've just seen. I love it so much.
You can go see this movie more than just once, you can easily see if like five or six times in my opinion. So have fun and give this a chance.
Welcome to the cyber crime reality. Even for a guy likes me that doesn't get anything about hacking it's interesting to watch and not too difficult to understand. No system is safe is the truth, everything is hackable. Even if we think everything is secured you just need a couple of computer nerds to bring the whole system down. I would not call this movie a thriller, just a cyber crime movie. The actors did a good job and the filming was pleasant to watch as well. The end was a bit confusing and far fetched and was not really necessary to me but all in all it's an entertaining movie to watch. Not that I will watch it again. That's only reserved for the excellent movies.
- deloudelouvain
- May 8, 2016
- Permalink
Understanding hackers work requires high technical expertise; and their reasons are rarely clear. It could be economic profit, idealistic rebellion against society, egomaniac superiority or plain sadism. In any case; it is not easy to it is difficult to portrait real hackers in movies. BLACKHAT is recent failure but this German thriller really gets the point a offer an interesting enigma sometimes quite unpredictable and never boring. It is better to know little about what happens in order to enjoy the full mystery. Let's say that the movie starts with Benjamin, being debriefed by an EuroPol agent about his and other groups hacking activities. The high point of the movie is showing how difficult is to hack and where are the weakest points in every kind of security.
As interesting as the movie becomes; it is important to note that it is not a Hollywood movie. Not car crashes and very realistic action scenes.
As interesting as the movie becomes; it is important to note that it is not a Hollywood movie. Not car crashes and very realistic action scenes.
Who Am I has some obvious problems, the biggest of which are pacing in the first half and properly developing its characters as well as making them relatable. The artistic choice in its way of portraying digital space is also definitely a mistake.
However, the movie has its strengths as well. Its intertextual references and the cinematic parallels it utilizes truly bring out all the potential this type of movie has to offer. Through clever nods in the right directions, Who Am I ambitiously fills the roles of an action thriller, growth story, heist movie, and a high-life power fantasy within quite a short runtime.
The tone of Who Am I only becomes clear upon rewatching it, and while it may not be what both it and Death Note (2017) tried to be, it does show another aspect of it - Who Am I and Death Note try to be the same movie, one as a hacker thriller and the other as a fantasy film, and should be seen as attempts to achieve the same thing.
Who Am I has to some seemed like a mediocre attempt at an uninspired action flick, but to me this could not be farther from the truth. Who Am I has behind it an incredible artistic vision and ambition, and while it neither succeeds in it to be a masterpiece it could be, nor does it fail spectacularly enough to be widely remembered for such, it has, as a truly good and enjoyable experience, the makings of a future cult classic.
However, the movie has its strengths as well. Its intertextual references and the cinematic parallels it utilizes truly bring out all the potential this type of movie has to offer. Through clever nods in the right directions, Who Am I ambitiously fills the roles of an action thriller, growth story, heist movie, and a high-life power fantasy within quite a short runtime.
The tone of Who Am I only becomes clear upon rewatching it, and while it may not be what both it and Death Note (2017) tried to be, it does show another aspect of it - Who Am I and Death Note try to be the same movie, one as a hacker thriller and the other as a fantasy film, and should be seen as attempts to achieve the same thing.
Who Am I has to some seemed like a mediocre attempt at an uninspired action flick, but to me this could not be farther from the truth. Who Am I has behind it an incredible artistic vision and ambition, and while it neither succeeds in it to be a masterpiece it could be, nor does it fail spectacularly enough to be widely remembered for such, it has, as a truly good and enjoyable experience, the makings of a future cult classic.
That film tries too hard to be cool but it really isn't. The script is full of childish taglines and moreover there is an exaggeration on everything as also most of the cliches someone could expect to find in a film about hacking. It would make more sense tf it was produced on 90s but for 2014 is a film behind it's time.
"Who Am I: No System Is Safe" is the sophomore feature from up and coming German director Baran bo Odar - who gained recognition after his first feature film- "The Silence"- led critics to name him as a "Director to Watch Out For" in 2011.
WHOAMI is the digital alias of a young but talented hacker named Benjamin Engel. Ben is a nobody in real life- just another freak who goes unnoticed by the world. However, as soon as he logs in online, he fancies himself a sort of superhero.
After teaching himself to code at the age of 14, Ben began to wander into the "Darknet"...where all the "Big Players" of the hacking realm were known to dwell. Here he found himself becoming especially influenced by a fellow hacker named MRX.
MRX had developed a 3-fold manifesto, which was embraced by the hacking world:
1) No System Is Safe. 2) Aim for the Impossible. 3) Enjoy the meat world as much as the net world.
He was the "somebody" Ben was striving to become.
Everything changes for Ben after a happenstance meeting with an outgoing "script kiddie" named Max- who is better at hacking people than he is the internet. The two had met during community service- which Ben was serving for hacking into a University server from which he was trying to steal exam questions for his childhood obsession, Marie. The two young men quickly realize they have similar ambitions and become friends with one another.
Max introduces Ben to Stephan- a software wiz- and Paul- a master of hardware. Ben's specialty is machine code...and together the four consider themselves a force to be reckoned with. They inevitably team up to create CLAY (Clowns Laughing At You)- an activist oriented hacker collective that quickly become renown for pulling off stunts akin to Yippies and the Yes Men- in an attempt to gain global recognition and prove that they too can be one of the "Big Players".
Their drive shifts, though, when a hacker named Krypton is found murdered. Word on the Darknet is that FR1ENDS- one of the "Big Players" who are known to be a group of hackers employed by the Russian Mafia- had killed Krypton because he was an informant for the feds.
The CLAY crew are incredibly disturbed by these revelations, while still trying to win the admonition of their hacking idol- MRX. This encourages them to focus on two actions: to discover the identity of MRX and actively work to stop FR1ENDS. Little do they know, this will all culminate into one massive hack that is more "social engineering", than it is limited to computer hacking.
Will Ben and CLAY be able to play all sides against each other, achieve their goals, and escape scot-free? That's the plan. But a double twist at the end will keep you guessing.
Story-wise "Who Am I" has a tone similar to that of other anarchy oriented films from Germany, like "What To Do In Case of Fire" or Hans Weingartner's "Free Rainer" and "The Edukators"; plot-wise it is reminiscent of 90's crime gem "Fresh"; while, stylistically one can detect the influence of Jeunet and Caro films, like "Amelie". Be sure to keep an eye out for the Fight Club mise-en-scene foreshadowing ruse too.
With great style, a lot of subtle details (you may miss the first time around), and an intriguing soundtrack, Odar has managed to bring us a film that is mysterious, exciting, and thought provoking. It will certainly command your attention from start to finish. Hackers and other revolutionary-minded individuals will particularly enjoy it. Recommended.
7.5 out of 10.
WHOAMI is the digital alias of a young but talented hacker named Benjamin Engel. Ben is a nobody in real life- just another freak who goes unnoticed by the world. However, as soon as he logs in online, he fancies himself a sort of superhero.
After teaching himself to code at the age of 14, Ben began to wander into the "Darknet"...where all the "Big Players" of the hacking realm were known to dwell. Here he found himself becoming especially influenced by a fellow hacker named MRX.
MRX had developed a 3-fold manifesto, which was embraced by the hacking world:
1) No System Is Safe. 2) Aim for the Impossible. 3) Enjoy the meat world as much as the net world.
He was the "somebody" Ben was striving to become.
Everything changes for Ben after a happenstance meeting with an outgoing "script kiddie" named Max- who is better at hacking people than he is the internet. The two had met during community service- which Ben was serving for hacking into a University server from which he was trying to steal exam questions for his childhood obsession, Marie. The two young men quickly realize they have similar ambitions and become friends with one another.
Max introduces Ben to Stephan- a software wiz- and Paul- a master of hardware. Ben's specialty is machine code...and together the four consider themselves a force to be reckoned with. They inevitably team up to create CLAY (Clowns Laughing At You)- an activist oriented hacker collective that quickly become renown for pulling off stunts akin to Yippies and the Yes Men- in an attempt to gain global recognition and prove that they too can be one of the "Big Players".
Their drive shifts, though, when a hacker named Krypton is found murdered. Word on the Darknet is that FR1ENDS- one of the "Big Players" who are known to be a group of hackers employed by the Russian Mafia- had killed Krypton because he was an informant for the feds.
The CLAY crew are incredibly disturbed by these revelations, while still trying to win the admonition of their hacking idol- MRX. This encourages them to focus on two actions: to discover the identity of MRX and actively work to stop FR1ENDS. Little do they know, this will all culminate into one massive hack that is more "social engineering", than it is limited to computer hacking.
Will Ben and CLAY be able to play all sides against each other, achieve their goals, and escape scot-free? That's the plan. But a double twist at the end will keep you guessing.
Story-wise "Who Am I" has a tone similar to that of other anarchy oriented films from Germany, like "What To Do In Case of Fire" or Hans Weingartner's "Free Rainer" and "The Edukators"; plot-wise it is reminiscent of 90's crime gem "Fresh"; while, stylistically one can detect the influence of Jeunet and Caro films, like "Amelie". Be sure to keep an eye out for the Fight Club mise-en-scene foreshadowing ruse too.
With great style, a lot of subtle details (you may miss the first time around), and an intriguing soundtrack, Odar has managed to bring us a film that is mysterious, exciting, and thought provoking. It will certainly command your attention from start to finish. Hackers and other revolutionary-minded individuals will particularly enjoy it. Recommended.
7.5 out of 10.
- meddlecore
- Sep 6, 2014
- Permalink
- crisan-caius
- May 6, 2015
- Permalink
In this stylised German cyber thriller a socially awkward young hacker gets involved with other like-minded technophiles and together they form a group dedicated to high profile system breaches. When they decide to hack into the German Secret Service, things start to go wrong. We begin the story with the hacker being questioned by a Europol agent and from here we go back and forth in time to see how he got here.
Films based around computer-based stories are not the easiest to make very cinematic but Who Am I works out a way to do so. In the film's most distinctive and creative scenes we are shown a visualisation of a virtual world known as the dark net, a place in cyberspace where all of the leading hackers meet up. It is shown here in a physical way by way of masked characters interacting on a subway train. It's a nicely, slightly surreal, and very creative way to depict this and shows some real creativity on the part of the film-makers. There is a good energy about this one, with a fast-paced story and energetic electro soundtrack complimenting it. Its material that has the potential to be quite dry and unexciting but which has instead been skilfully brought to screen in a very engaging manner. The icing on the cake is a very good and surprising ending that is audacious but makes good sense given what has gone before.
Films based around computer-based stories are not the easiest to make very cinematic but Who Am I works out a way to do so. In the film's most distinctive and creative scenes we are shown a visualisation of a virtual world known as the dark net, a place in cyberspace where all of the leading hackers meet up. It is shown here in a physical way by way of masked characters interacting on a subway train. It's a nicely, slightly surreal, and very creative way to depict this and shows some real creativity on the part of the film-makers. There is a good energy about this one, with a fast-paced story and energetic electro soundtrack complimenting it. Its material that has the potential to be quite dry and unexciting but which has instead been skilfully brought to screen in a very engaging manner. The icing on the cake is a very good and surprising ending that is audacious but makes good sense given what has gone before.
- Red-Barracuda
- Jun 20, 2015
- Permalink
This came before Mr. Robot and it seems to have had a big influence on the development of that show. Granted Mr. Robot is a bigger better production, but in this move are all the seeds of the future Mr. Robot...
- imagineallthenames
- Apr 11, 2020
- Permalink
As I am not familiar with and interested in special technology, including hardware and software, I usually avoid related creations as they tend to include a lot of sophisticated terms and activities, but - from time to time - everybody needs some diversity, plus I heard some good stuff about this film.
And Who Am I - Kein System ist sicher caught my attention and admiration from the beginning - fast and intensive plot (but not too "flashing"), very good (Tom Schilling as Benjamin and Trine Dyrholm as Hanne Lindberg) and good (the rest) performances, skillful cinematography and directing, witty flashbacks and multiple solutions... At first, the inclusion of Marie's character seemed somewhat excessive, but eventually all the pieces fell into place and the result is a solid film recommended to fond of (getting to know about) modern threats and vulnerabilities.
And Schilling is a fine actor - based on 3 films I have seen with his participation. He could definitely have wider international employment and recognition.
And Who Am I - Kein System ist sicher caught my attention and admiration from the beginning - fast and intensive plot (but not too "flashing"), very good (Tom Schilling as Benjamin and Trine Dyrholm as Hanne Lindberg) and good (the rest) performances, skillful cinematography and directing, witty flashbacks and multiple solutions... At first, the inclusion of Marie's character seemed somewhat excessive, but eventually all the pieces fell into place and the result is a solid film recommended to fond of (getting to know about) modern threats and vulnerabilities.
And Schilling is a fine actor - based on 3 films I have seen with his participation. He could definitely have wider international employment and recognition.
It was a performance for me to appreciate this little movie. Yes, a performance because I am not particularly fond of Internet and hacker movies. It's not a topic, a scheme from my generation; I am too much old fashioned to love this kind of films. But for this one, I must admit that it was a real shock, a good one, and it reminds me the one when I discovered RUN LOLA RUN, another gem from over the Rhine, eight years ago, directed by Tom Tykwer who went to Hollywood since and gave us two terrific films named THE PERFUME and THE INTERNATIONAL. That's all I saw from him. But back to this one, yes, this proves that the German film industry is not so static or gloomy as many folks say. I guess the director of this movie will go to Hollywood - he has already done it and begun the shooting of a crime flick, a remake of a French one: NUIT BLANCHE. I also guess that this new director will be a simple yes man for the Hollywood producers, UNLIKE Tykwer was, because PERFUME and the INTERNATIONAL, I repeat again, were masterpieces for me. I am afraid that this talented film maker will lose his soul in USA. But if his genius is only focused on camera angles and technicities, and not the story,so maybe the American producers will be loose with him. The trailer of his crime flick seems promising. Let's wait then...
- searchanddestroy-1
- Oct 8, 2016
- Permalink
"Who am I". It was pretty clear to me, what I will write about this movie right from the beginning, but I wanna start with some positive criticism:
The movie is a solid thriller, that has a fast driven story and never feels overly stretched. I must confess, that I had no idea how this movie would be, since I haven't read anything about it beforehand and therefore was not expecting the "Fight club" twist, even though I realized the weird situation with the car key (it was hard to miss, I know ) and some other small indicators. It was nicely shot and it was clear, that a professional was the DP, but he clearly has a fable for close ups (kind of annoying).
Now to the bad side... The movie is a complete rip off and genre translation of Fight club. Starting with the obvious: the imaginary friend situation. Yes of course in the end they reveal it's all a big trick but that was just to make this movie a little different from fight club Than the 3 rules of MRX which are a clear copy of the rules of fight club and lastly the girlfriend drama, with the friend taking the girl he wants even though the protagonist stays the emotional partner of the girl.
Going on... the writer tried to hard to make sure everyone understands the protagonist is a nerd by always putting in some quotes from big franchises like Star Wars or Superman (DC franchise).
Those made the movie a little less enjoyable but over all I liked the Movie a lot and it was of Good quality, wich is a surprise, for people that know the current German movie industry.
I hope the review was helpful, Have a nice day!
The movie is a solid thriller, that has a fast driven story and never feels overly stretched. I must confess, that I had no idea how this movie would be, since I haven't read anything about it beforehand and therefore was not expecting the "Fight club" twist, even though I realized the weird situation with the car key (it was hard to miss, I know ) and some other small indicators. It was nicely shot and it was clear, that a professional was the DP, but he clearly has a fable for close ups (kind of annoying).
Now to the bad side... The movie is a complete rip off and genre translation of Fight club. Starting with the obvious: the imaginary friend situation. Yes of course in the end they reveal it's all a big trick but that was just to make this movie a little different from fight club Than the 3 rules of MRX which are a clear copy of the rules of fight club and lastly the girlfriend drama, with the friend taking the girl he wants even though the protagonist stays the emotional partner of the girl.
Going on... the writer tried to hard to make sure everyone understands the protagonist is a nerd by always putting in some quotes from big franchises like Star Wars or Superman (DC franchise).
Those made the movie a little less enjoyable but over all I liked the Movie a lot and it was of Good quality, wich is a surprise, for people that know the current German movie industry.
I hope the review was helpful, Have a nice day!
- felixwenzel-74440
- Sep 26, 2021
- Permalink
Honestly, for a film that is in a foreign language, meaning it is heavy in the subtitle department, and very, very wordy - I started watching this at 3 minutes to midnight and was just going to watch maybe ten minutes and then stop - I found that I just could not take my eyes off of the screen. It was so well done. It was also, very exciting and literate and smart. It had all of the attributes of what a classic suspense film should have. That's all I'm going to say. It was fantastic.
- hedrummond
- Mar 5, 2021
- Permalink
I finally watched this and it was much better than I was expecting but was still hampered with a few too many clichés (or rather, 'borrowings' from other films).
It's a bit cheesy in places (e.g. dialogue, plot points) but the pacing is great and the characters are really engaging.
Tom Schilling and Elyas M'Barek have great chemistry and special shout out to Wotan Wilke Möhring for his dancing!! I had to rewind that a couple of times until I'd stopped laughing! Trine Dyrholm was wonderful throughout. All I could think when I saw her was, "this is Portia de Rossi's twin from another mother".
I was gutted with the twist at the end...at first...but by the time the film ended, I was pretty happy (except for that last 'wink', what was the director thinking?!) I hadn't read any synopses of the film so I won't spoil the surprise for others because as soon as you mention the similarities between this and 'another film', you know what's coming.
I watched with German subtitles as I'm not 100% fluent in German and didn't want to miss any of the dialogue but I found it to be very straightforward.
This is a good, solid film and well worth watching.
7/10
It's a bit cheesy in places (e.g. dialogue, plot points) but the pacing is great and the characters are really engaging.
Tom Schilling and Elyas M'Barek have great chemistry and special shout out to Wotan Wilke Möhring for his dancing!! I had to rewind that a couple of times until I'd stopped laughing! Trine Dyrholm was wonderful throughout. All I could think when I saw her was, "this is Portia de Rossi's twin from another mother".
I was gutted with the twist at the end...at first...but by the time the film ended, I was pretty happy (except for that last 'wink', what was the director thinking?!) I hadn't read any synopses of the film so I won't spoil the surprise for others because as soon as you mention the similarities between this and 'another film', you know what's coming.
I watched with German subtitles as I'm not 100% fluent in German and didn't want to miss any of the dialogue but I found it to be very straightforward.
This is a good, solid film and well worth watching.
7/10
- MovieSonic
- Oct 24, 2015
- Permalink
Desparately trying to be cool. Never believable for a second. All characters are cardboard characitures: the nerd; the tear-away, the cold bureaucrat. Technically illiterate. Attacks trendy targets: the international financial system, pharaceutical firms, neonazis... Glorifies delinquents. Good special effects.
- neddyinitaly
- Jul 28, 2020
- Permalink
- computermusen
- Mar 2, 2021
- Permalink