"Der Architekt" tells an interesting variation of the old story of a family confronted with serious trouble caused by underlying interpersonal problems and a "dark" secret from the past. This is always a good basis for a psychological drama.
However, pretty much of it is exaggerated and overacted (which is, by the way and IMHO, still typical of German cinema: "Real" people simply don't behave the same way as most of the on-screen characters). And many metaphors/symbols are simply carried too far (e.g., the name "Winter" for the troubled lead character stumping through the all-present discomforting winter landscape).
Josef Bierbichler is really great, but the rest of the cast can't keep up with him. This is especially true of the currently way overrated Matthias Schweighöfer. He should really take some acting classes in order to get rid of his mannerisms (e.g., constant grimacing); his performance is plain awful.
However, pretty much of it is exaggerated and overacted (which is, by the way and IMHO, still typical of German cinema: "Real" people simply don't behave the same way as most of the on-screen characters). And many metaphors/symbols are simply carried too far (e.g., the name "Winter" for the troubled lead character stumping through the all-present discomforting winter landscape).
Josef Bierbichler is really great, but the rest of the cast can't keep up with him. This is especially true of the currently way overrated Matthias Schweighöfer. He should really take some acting classes in order to get rid of his mannerisms (e.g., constant grimacing); his performance is plain awful.