German film critic Blumenberg made some rather pretentious and lifeless movies, but this is not one of them. Obviously, there are probably a few insider's jokes and references too many (looking for the cameos of all the famous directors draws some attention away) but some parts are very well made, like the short pieces from romantic holiday film you can see as flashbacks. The whole film has a cold big-city atmosphere. It is set in Hamburg, but you wouldn't know this from seeing any sights. Characters suffer from not being able to emotionally connect, and in the end it is ironic that "Cherie" can not regain the loving feelings for her Australian boyfriend she has been longing for, while the film offers at least a little happy end for one of the protagonists.
For German viewers it is interesting to see a lot of familiar faces and to de-code some of the allusions made by the directors. If you are into 1980s movies, this one could be for you!
2 Reviews
Tact- and carefully made
unbrokenmetal22 June 2001
After 10 years as a film critic or movie reviewer, H.C. Blumenberg decided he wanted to direct a movie himself. Since producers and actors considered him a natural enemy, it seemed a difficult enterprise. However, Blumenberg was very, very careful not to make any obvious mistakes, worried he might make himself easy prey for his ex-colleagues at the papers. He hired a master of photography, all the actors down to the smallest parts were chosen well. `Tausend Augen' was a long time in the making, and this is why this movie is closer to perfection than any of Blumenberg's following movies or TV works.
`Tausend Augen' has a lot of quotes from film classics that inspired Blumenberg, my favorite being the homage to Fritz Lang's `M' with Trio drummer Peter Behrens who bears an amazing resemblance to Peter Lorre. The funniest scene is probably the thief in the video store (guest appearance by Wim Wenders, the famous director!) who explains "Some movies are so good, you have to save them from ending up here".
Although the plot may sound a bit cheap (lonely blonde wants to get away from the big city, needs money, but doesn't want to prostitute herself), the film has so much tact and sensitivity it provides a stark contrast to exploitation cinema, but without being too intellectual or complex. Its lasting achievement was to make actress Barbara Rudnik a star, and she still is regularly on TV almost 20 years later.
`Tausend Augen' has a lot of quotes from film classics that inspired Blumenberg, my favorite being the homage to Fritz Lang's `M' with Trio drummer Peter Behrens who bears an amazing resemblance to Peter Lorre. The funniest scene is probably the thief in the video store (guest appearance by Wim Wenders, the famous director!) who explains "Some movies are so good, you have to save them from ending up here".
Although the plot may sound a bit cheap (lonely blonde wants to get away from the big city, needs money, but doesn't want to prostitute herself), the film has so much tact and sensitivity it provides a stark contrast to exploitation cinema, but without being too intellectual or complex. Its lasting achievement was to make actress Barbara Rudnik a star, and she still is regularly on TV almost 20 years later.
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