OK, so I haven't actually caught any comedy films this year, but I was expecting this to be bleak and unfunny. Instead, myself, my squeeze and most of the audience were bursting out laughing. Never mind the continuity error - if the gravedigger doesn't have you in stitches, then you probably need his skills. This certainly passes the Kermode comedy test! I liked the acting by the tongue tied Michael (Christian Ulmen), who can hardly speak to an audience of his scientific peers, let alone the love of his life. A great deal is conveyed through facial expressions in this film, with one of the best coming from psychiatrist Dr. Schäfer (Corinna Harfouch). The childhood and adolescent scenes get top marks, the younger actors are convincing versions of their older counterparts.
The direction concentrates on that staple of comedy: the stereotype. So the scenes when repressed, reactionary Bruno arrives at the New Age summer camp are certainly predictable, but still genuinely funny, as they unfold, more or less to expectation. The science at the Irish Rosslyn Institute lookalike is just as whacky as the ideas at the summer camp, so I wonder why the director didn't make more of it? Still, at least he showed us how well the cows understand scientists.
I'm giving this eight rather than seven points, for defying my expectations from the synopsis.
The direction concentrates on that staple of comedy: the stereotype. So the scenes when repressed, reactionary Bruno arrives at the New Age summer camp are certainly predictable, but still genuinely funny, as they unfold, more or less to expectation. The science at the Irish Rosslyn Institute lookalike is just as whacky as the ideas at the summer camp, so I wonder why the director didn't make more of it? Still, at least he showed us how well the cows understand scientists.
I'm giving this eight rather than seven points, for defying my expectations from the synopsis.