"Da wo es noch Treue gibt" is a German television film from 2006, so this one will have its 15th anniversary already next year. It runs for 1.5 hours and is a Hansi Hinterseer movie, actually one of many in which he plays Hansi Sandgruber. I guess the fact that he always plays characters named Hansi, not just in this series, is meant to make sure how he is such a normal and authentic actor. Cough. Anyway, first things first: The director is Heidi Kranz and now in 2020 she is still working and in her 70s. She's got it all: In aller Freundschaft, SOKO, Pilcher, Lindström, Danella, Schönauer etc. the epitome of a directing career completely void of the slightest bit of creativity and talent. In other words: 100% garbage. There to dumb down people for almost 30 years now. Congratulations. Also not the only Hinterseer film she has worked on. The screenplay is by Eduard Ehrlich (apparently a real name) from Austria and his entire career is based on Hinterseer. He worked on almost everything the singer/musician did and was the man in charge of the screenplay. Which means he always gets away with it, even if he comes up with entirely ridiculous stories like he does for this one we have here. The title for these films always start with "Da wo" (not Davos), is that even correct without a comma? Anyway, it is not too easy to translate, but maybe you could say "The place where" although "da" is usually more than just a geographic location, also includes the people, the community etc. This one here could be translated with "The place where there is still faithfulness". Not pretentious at all. This film from the "da wo" series is not one of the first and not one of the last. It all took place basically between 2000 and 2010 with these, so it is one of the later already, but more like in the middle. Hinterseer, who is actually more known for his music than acting (although he should be known for neither), is still active I believe, but not as prolific anymore as retirement approaches. The one positive thing you can say about him is that he does look younger than his age, which may partially have to do with his constant smile. You see the evidence on the photo here. However, he still has a long way to go to reach Horst Janson. He only appears in here very briefly, but he was 70 at that point I think and boy does he look good for that. No homo though. Not sure, maybe Janson played a character with more meaning and screen time in the previous films, which may explain his inclusion this time because otherwise I have no clue why he would show up for a character like this in here. As for the rest of the cast, it is not too bad, especially in terms of Austrian actors. Leder is one some will recognize and Merkatz has also had decade-long success. Their characters are so minor though that they can never make an impact. It must never be about anybody else than Hinterseer at the center of it all.
Now as for the story, this film was as generic and uninspired as it gets. The moment we see the main antagonist was so cringeworthy. It was almost a comical Cruela de Vil presentation when we find out about her financial struggles and about how she is out there for revenge. Nothing else to add when it comes to her, she is just screaming and whining for the rest of the film. Perfect example on how to not write an antagonist. The sad thing is they were completely serious with it all. This is not a comedy, although here and there it is maybe so bad it is funny. But that was clearly not intended. Never. The key story with the protagonist's late father worrying about potential guilt in the death of another is never one bit effective. I understand that priorities at the countryside are different, but it just is not working, such poor writing all the time. In addition, we get to know that the mayor, a likable fool, has been involved in some shoddy business over the years (or years back actually) and eventually has to resign because of this after being blackmailed by the bad guys. Still, in the sense of rural harmony, even the female main antagonist is proven to have a heart in the end. Obviously. Hansi is also not mad at her or anybody because he is such a kind spirit. Also he has a wife who is 20 years younger. Obviously. I guess one of the previous films shows us how they got together. And Hansi is a physically strong man who after a pseudo dangerous bike accident is immediately up and helps the other guy who fell, who is not inured, but needs a little longer to find his strength again. hansi is also the best friend out there obviously. There is also his brother who we find out is the one really responsible for the tragedy that happened a while ago (and not the dad), but he is also not really to blame in anyway. Only for not saying something perhaps. It was not an intentional crime or anything. For something like that the film is way too harmless. Even the bad guys here would not physically harm somebody, just emotionally. Also there are no shades in this film whatsoever. The characters are either antagonists or good guys. The latter may sometimes be on the wrong path a bit though. Same applies to the former. I must say I was shocked how poor this film turned out. Even way worse than I expected and I expected nothing. One of many occasions where Bavaria Film messed up and they delivered quality really on not too many. What I found also appalling is how this film is set in a really beautiful region of Germany with high mountains, wild nature and a lot more to it. And yet, not even from the visual perspective this film was a success. I know I could watch a nature documentary instead, but I just don't want to right now. I think it would have been very easy to get in some fine and stunning nature recordings here, but nope not a chance. Even for a simple quest like this, there is no talent involved. Instead, they lose themselves in these stupid family drama and family tragedy plots. That offer absolutely nothing. Of course, this film also gets through the regular ARD movie message that men are scum or at least fools and have to give up everything to get/keep their female partners. The love confession scene at the play in the end says it all. It's of course a film mostly direccted at female audiences, but that is also why I applaud those females who see that films like this one are completely worthless. I know many don't. I even think my own mother has some kind of a soft spot for Hinterseer. Pretty shameful. That is all now. Not too eager on seeing any other Sandgruber films, but hey at some point I probably will because everybody deserves a (second) chance, even Hinterseer and his equally talented co-cast and filmmakers here. Also don't think it's necessary at all to watch those in chronological order. To still end the review on a good note, let me say that the women in here were not unattractive, especially Manée Thorak, but she does not have too much screen time anyway. That is all now. Big thumbs-down. Highly not recommended.
Now as for the story, this film was as generic and uninspired as it gets. The moment we see the main antagonist was so cringeworthy. It was almost a comical Cruela de Vil presentation when we find out about her financial struggles and about how she is out there for revenge. Nothing else to add when it comes to her, she is just screaming and whining for the rest of the film. Perfect example on how to not write an antagonist. The sad thing is they were completely serious with it all. This is not a comedy, although here and there it is maybe so bad it is funny. But that was clearly not intended. Never. The key story with the protagonist's late father worrying about potential guilt in the death of another is never one bit effective. I understand that priorities at the countryside are different, but it just is not working, such poor writing all the time. In addition, we get to know that the mayor, a likable fool, has been involved in some shoddy business over the years (or years back actually) and eventually has to resign because of this after being blackmailed by the bad guys. Still, in the sense of rural harmony, even the female main antagonist is proven to have a heart in the end. Obviously. Hansi is also not mad at her or anybody because he is such a kind spirit. Also he has a wife who is 20 years younger. Obviously. I guess one of the previous films shows us how they got together. And Hansi is a physically strong man who after a pseudo dangerous bike accident is immediately up and helps the other guy who fell, who is not inured, but needs a little longer to find his strength again. hansi is also the best friend out there obviously. There is also his brother who we find out is the one really responsible for the tragedy that happened a while ago (and not the dad), but he is also not really to blame in anyway. Only for not saying something perhaps. It was not an intentional crime or anything. For something like that the film is way too harmless. Even the bad guys here would not physically harm somebody, just emotionally. Also there are no shades in this film whatsoever. The characters are either antagonists or good guys. The latter may sometimes be on the wrong path a bit though. Same applies to the former. I must say I was shocked how poor this film turned out. Even way worse than I expected and I expected nothing. One of many occasions where Bavaria Film messed up and they delivered quality really on not too many. What I found also appalling is how this film is set in a really beautiful region of Germany with high mountains, wild nature and a lot more to it. And yet, not even from the visual perspective this film was a success. I know I could watch a nature documentary instead, but I just don't want to right now. I think it would have been very easy to get in some fine and stunning nature recordings here, but nope not a chance. Even for a simple quest like this, there is no talent involved. Instead, they lose themselves in these stupid family drama and family tragedy plots. That offer absolutely nothing. Of course, this film also gets through the regular ARD movie message that men are scum or at least fools and have to give up everything to get/keep their female partners. The love confession scene at the play in the end says it all. It's of course a film mostly direccted at female audiences, but that is also why I applaud those females who see that films like this one are completely worthless. I know many don't. I even think my own mother has some kind of a soft spot for Hinterseer. Pretty shameful. That is all now. Not too eager on seeing any other Sandgruber films, but hey at some point I probably will because everybody deserves a (second) chance, even Hinterseer and his equally talented co-cast and filmmakers here. Also don't think it's necessary at all to watch those in chronological order. To still end the review on a good note, let me say that the women in here were not unattractive, especially Manée Thorak, but she does not have too much screen time anyway. That is all now. Big thumbs-down. Highly not recommended.
