"Wann wird es endlich wieder so, wie es nie war" - literally, 'When Will It Ever Be The Way It Never Used To Be' - is based on Joachim Meyerhoff's autobiographical novel of the same name. Growing up around the psychiatric hospital run by his father, the film follows Joachim as he experiences love, loss, friendship and his adorably quirky family in a setting that is both absurd and touching.
Despite touching on some sad and even tragic events, the film has a light-hearted and unsentimental tone - somewhat mirroring the book's uniquely laconic writing style. The director Sonja Heiss manages to balance humor and emotion with a keen eye for detail and authenticity.
However, the film also suffers from some flaws that prevent it from being a masterpiece. The film is episodic and lacks depth, glossing over Joachim's young life without ever fully settling on one of the characters or themes. As has been pointed out, for instance, the film fails to explore the complex relationship between Joachim and his father, who is both loving and strangely distant. The film could have benefited from more focus and coherence to create a stronger emotional impact. That said, it is definitely worth watching as it is well acted and undoubtedly entertaining.
Despite touching on some sad and even tragic events, the film has a light-hearted and unsentimental tone - somewhat mirroring the book's uniquely laconic writing style. The director Sonja Heiss manages to balance humor and emotion with a keen eye for detail and authenticity.
However, the film also suffers from some flaws that prevent it from being a masterpiece. The film is episodic and lacks depth, glossing over Joachim's young life without ever fully settling on one of the characters or themes. As has been pointed out, for instance, the film fails to explore the complex relationship between Joachim and his father, who is both loving and strangely distant. The film could have benefited from more focus and coherence to create a stronger emotional impact. That said, it is definitely worth watching as it is well acted and undoubtedly entertaining.