"Zwei mitten im Leben" is a German television movie from 2014 that runs for almost 1.5 hours as they usually do and was directed by Peter Gersina and written by Regine Bielefeldt and Annette Simon. It's safe to say that looking at the bodies of work from this trio, expectations for this one here should be relatively low because the vast majorioty of what they have been working on in the past was not good and that is already a very nice way to express things. The photo here on imdb is pretty misleading by the way because these two characters barely have an impact on the story whatsoever. The actress at the center of it all is Mariele Millowitsch, daughter of Willy, and she is also the only cast member with somewhat serious material as this film is partially about how her character deals with her character's father's death. The two did not have a particularly good connection, but towards the end she cries for him nonetheless. Sounds okay doesn't it. Well, it is not. Because this is where the people working on this film are exposed for their lack of talent. Millowitsch is the best example because she may have good recognition value, come off as fairly likable, but real range and versatility she has not. These more serious scenes, especially the aforementioned crying, clearly shows us where her limits are. It does not feel one bit emotional to the audience. Also I would not disagree with people who say that Millowitsch basically plays the same character in every film she is in. Or every series. There is a reason she does not have a big screen career. The only somewhat good thing I can say about her is that for being 60 (which she was when this was made over 5 years ago), she still looks pretty good. Admittedly she had to in order for audiences to believe her character is actually in a romantic relationship with Christoph M. Ohrt because this actor has been in many films, in which he had much younger love interests and this time he is five years younger. By the way, I thought that whenever Ohrt was seen on the screen, the movie got a little bit better and as admittedly he is not exactly a really gifted actor either, this says a lot about the quality. But back to what I said earlier: Other people who got exposed by the more serious moments (i.e. dealing with the father's death) are the two writers. The way how they wrote the plot here and elaborate on the female protagonist's change in mind from not caring about her father to really missing him and regretting that they did not spend more time together was clumsy to say the least. But this is just one of many occasions when the dup messed up. Also almost none of the comedy is working here. I always find it especially shocking when there is more than one writer because these twwo actually should see their mistakes and fix them together, but it feels as if both just add the worst.
I think the film's beginning was alright. With that I do not mean the fairly cringeworthy demonstration scene, but what follows afterwards and the scenes Millowitsch and Ohrt have together, the elaboration on their relationship and also how Ohrt is not depicted as an antagonist or anything, just as a loving partner. There are many anti-male movies out there when it comes to German television films, but this is luckily not one of them, even if it is questionable if there is any way we can see Millowitsch's character as likable looking at how she treats her man. With tables turned, the (then male) lead could be seen as more of an antagonist. Okay, so much for that. The next hour is basically the movie slowly moving forard. New characters are introduces, certain plots are developed, but it is all so bland and forgettable that it can help people who can't sleep. Still, had the film kept this level, then maybe I would have given it two stars more because it was just weak and not garbage. However, the last 25 minutes or so are a complete mess. The happpy ending feels forced and for the sake of pleasing the audience (instead of going for realism), this senior band there butchering two really good songs is an abomination and there are several scenes that are just really cringeworthy. Actually I am just trying to forget these, but I will still mention them to you, so you know when to change the channel exactly. The best example is probably the great idea that came to the main character's mind when she has too much pepper on her egg. Oh well. Enough said. I already mentioned the music. The scene with the frog Naujoks' character finds out of nowhere all of a sudden is also quite a bad joke. Pretty sad that this is really the only moment the actor has for himself. I mean he is not superbly talented either, but definitely better than being wasted like this. What felt strange as well are the conflicts between Millowitsch's and Gastdorf's characters. I think the latter is probably a slightly better actress, but here she is held back as well by the script. The plot with two (forme) friends finding each other again in the aftermath of their father's death is just another area where they messed up and turned an okay idea with promise into something totally forgettable (in its better moments). How they are bonding felt very unrealistic looking at what happened earlier. Very randon and again for the sake of pleasing the crowd and at the same time all creativity and realism is sacrificed. Cannot please me like that. Same applies to the entire premises conflict/plot. This one was probably, especially towards the end, more at the center of the film (in terms of conflict) than everything else, but it never added gravity the way it should have for this to make a satisfying watch. I don't even want to say "great watch". This movie is on the exact opposite end of the quality scale. It's a mess pretty much from beginning to end and I highly suggest you skip the watch. Not even worth seeing if you like (some of) the actors. Massive thumbs-down! Best thing about this one is they never made a sequel.
I think the film's beginning was alright. With that I do not mean the fairly cringeworthy demonstration scene, but what follows afterwards and the scenes Millowitsch and Ohrt have together, the elaboration on their relationship and also how Ohrt is not depicted as an antagonist or anything, just as a loving partner. There are many anti-male movies out there when it comes to German television films, but this is luckily not one of them, even if it is questionable if there is any way we can see Millowitsch's character as likable looking at how she treats her man. With tables turned, the (then male) lead could be seen as more of an antagonist. Okay, so much for that. The next hour is basically the movie slowly moving forard. New characters are introduces, certain plots are developed, but it is all so bland and forgettable that it can help people who can't sleep. Still, had the film kept this level, then maybe I would have given it two stars more because it was just weak and not garbage. However, the last 25 minutes or so are a complete mess. The happpy ending feels forced and for the sake of pleasing the audience (instead of going for realism), this senior band there butchering two really good songs is an abomination and there are several scenes that are just really cringeworthy. Actually I am just trying to forget these, but I will still mention them to you, so you know when to change the channel exactly. The best example is probably the great idea that came to the main character's mind when she has too much pepper on her egg. Oh well. Enough said. I already mentioned the music. The scene with the frog Naujoks' character finds out of nowhere all of a sudden is also quite a bad joke. Pretty sad that this is really the only moment the actor has for himself. I mean he is not superbly talented either, but definitely better than being wasted like this. What felt strange as well are the conflicts between Millowitsch's and Gastdorf's characters. I think the latter is probably a slightly better actress, but here she is held back as well by the script. The plot with two (forme) friends finding each other again in the aftermath of their father's death is just another area where they messed up and turned an okay idea with promise into something totally forgettable (in its better moments). How they are bonding felt very unrealistic looking at what happened earlier. Very randon and again for the sake of pleasing the crowd and at the same time all creativity and realism is sacrificed. Cannot please me like that. Same applies to the entire premises conflict/plot. This one was probably, especially towards the end, more at the center of the film (in terms of conflict) than everything else, but it never added gravity the way it should have for this to make a satisfying watch. I don't even want to say "great watch". This movie is on the exact opposite end of the quality scale. It's a mess pretty much from beginning to end and I highly suggest you skip the watch. Not even worth seeing if you like (some of) the actors. Massive thumbs-down! Best thing about this one is they never made a sequel.
