Anni Rosar, one of the best loved German character actresses, is somewhat out of her element in this role as a melancholic old spinster. Rosar was known for her rough and grumpy personality, as well as her comedic flair. In this film, the 70 year old uses her acting chops to tuck at your tear glands. - Deeply religious, Rosar's character spent her life as a domestic employee with wealthy family. In hopes to earn herself favor with God, she finances her nephew's seminary studies. For years she sends money to this nephew, only to eventually learn that he is a charlatan who took advantage of the woman, spending her hard earned money on his own support and amusement. Shattered by this revelation, Rosar wants to find absolution, fearing her soul is in danger of not being accepted to enter heaven. - Many empathetic bystanders, particularly a kindly young priest, are touched by the old woman's deep faith. The final scenes are very sentimental, even if a bit far fetched. The overall effect of this gorgeous color production (still rare for late 50s German cinema) is that a very pleasant "Heimatfilm", a timeless feel-good movie. This is the kind of film expected to be shown during Holiday programming...in the early days of television, when only 3 channels offered only a few hours of programming each day. It's definitely above-average old German family fare!
Review of Embezzled Heaven
