(2009; Alle Anderen, German) Vacationing in Sardinia, staying in his parents' villa with his girlfriend Gitta (Birgit Minichmayr), Chris (Lars Eidinger), a young architect, is worried about his masculinity and lack of success. Moody, sadly reflective, he tells her: "Everything seems silly to me."

In turn she chides him for being too idealistic, focusing so intently on his studio, bikes, and books, while failing to commit to something: "Why not take a risk?" When she suggests his not using a condom, Chris still conscientiously practices safe sex. Later she says she wishes she could be different for him to make him happier.

After attempting to avoid encountering the "coincidental guy," Chris acts surprised when Hans (Hans-Jochen Wagner), a fellow architect, with his wife Sana (Nicole Marischka), a successful fashion designer, greets him and Gitta in the supermarket: "What a coincidence!"

Unlike Chris, who keeps things to himself (such as the results of a competition he'd entered), Gitta, who works for Universal as a public-relations agent with musical groups, is somewhat unconventional, dramatic and expressive of her feelings; she embarrasses Chris by getting into an argument with Hans, who refers to her as Brunhilde for staunchly defending Chris. Chris sometimes pays her little heed, as when they go on a long hike together, or leaves her all night to carouse with Hans in town.

Writer/director Maren Ade's dull domestic drama (though there's little drama to it) portrays a love/hate relationship between two people, not unlike everyone else. When Chris invites Hans and Sana (who's pregnant) over for dinner, he gives them a tour of his parents' residence where they enter his mother's special room and turn on the stereo, which plays Herbert Grönemeyer's song, "Ich hab Dich Lieb" or "I Love You" (once among Sana's favorites): "You did not tie yourself to me/ tell me true so long/ a family with you, that was my dream,/ but you threw it away too soon!/ Certainly there are others even better than me,/ You want to look around first,/ you never know ..."

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2010 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

Patrick Ivers can be reached via e-mail at .