"Nasser Asphalt" is a West German German-language movie in black-and-white from 1958, so this one will have its 60th anniversary soon and it stars some of the biggest names from Germany from that time. Rising star Horst Buchholz and Martin Held both received German Film Award nominations for their performances in this 90-minute movie. The female main role is played by Maria Perschy, but sadly, the longer the film goes the more her character becomes insignificant in the face of the two "heroes". And it all seems so different at the beginning. It almost seems like a triangle relationship drama early on, but the film turns more and more into another shot at Germany dealing with World War II guilt (after all, it was the 1950s) and an interesting little tale on how press has a major impact on people's lives. The fact that we should not believe everything we are told is more than relevant today as well, even if so much time has gone. Other than that, Held carries the film strongly as the major antagonist to the protagonist played by Buchholz and Buchholz is pretty strong too. I can see why he got compared to the young James Dean and Marlon Brando. Probably the most gifted German actor from his age group at that point. Strong screen presence and above-average range for such a young man. But even in the face of these two strong performances, the heart and should of the film stays the story about a fake news article and what major (even diplomatic) complications arise from it. 1950's Germany was not exactly known for great filmmaking, but here director Frank Wisbar and writer Will Tremper show the inferior competition how it's done profoundly. I certainly recommend the watch. "Wet Asphalt" is a success.
Review of Wet Asphalt
