Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht (2002) User Reviews

A glimmer of hope for German comedies?

[Gandalf-2 · 7/10 · 2 March 2002]

When I went to a screening of this movie, I asked myself why there's a need to re-shoot a short film that was already well done as a feature-length movie. Well, I was wrong. Not only did director Peter Thorwarth manage to keep up a continuous flow of interesting events, he also blew up the film on its triple length (or even more) without recognizable thinning of the plot. In addition, new events were added that enriched the whole experience.

I'm writing this so exuberant, because this way of working is not common usage in Germany. Usually, feature films lack a certain amount of content, and they could in most cases easily be told in 30 minutes. Peter Thorwarth has shown that he is more than capable in handling more than one strang of plot.

This movie is - in its own way - hilarious to watch. In its own way, because in Germany, many different definitions of humor exist. The Ruhrpott (where this film takes place) is completely different in their understanding of what's funny than for example Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg or even neighboring nations like Austria, Switzerland or France. This is the reason why there can't be a "German comedy". You'd have to reduce all jokes and events onto a level that is the least common denominator, and that reduces the effort to something most intelligent people won't enjoy. Peter Thorwarth managed the dangerous tightrope walk between "funny for all of us" and "only funny for people from the area" and managed to produce a good, enjoyable movie. It won't be a milestone of European Entertainment, but it is a good finger exercise for future projects. I, for my part, wish good luck to Peter Thorwarth and his promising talent.

Nice and funny movie, but not a great one.

[ElbeKiel · 7/10 · 9 April 2002]

I have not seen the short version of this film, but I think it would have been better not to try to make a full-length movie out of it. This movie did contain some moments that were just as funny as the director's other (great) movie, Bang Boom Bang (and even a very funny one where a scene from that movie is integrated into this one), however, there are too few of these for a full-length film.

Also, the director, who stars in one of the main roles, is certainly not the greatest actor alive, and Diether Krebs, who starred in the short version of this movie but sadly died before the long one was filmed, would probably have given a better performance than his still not-too-bad "replacement".

Still, even if - unlike Bang Boom Bang - this film is not likely to become an instant classic in its genre, people who loved Bang Boom Bang will probably still enjoy this film, and so will fans of actors Ralf Richter, Willy Thomczyk or Hilmi Soezer.

(7 out of 10)

nice film

[Jens-Florian · 6/10 · 16 March 2002]

Who likes bang boom bang would like this film too, but would be heavily disappointed. Succeeded nevertheless Peter Thowarth and its team Bang Boom Bang a funny and intelligent comedy. The detailed painted figures , came plateful and very oversubscribed therefore, but never flat and always life near. The new film however sets on a love Story , thinner figures and a fewer original Gags. A kind film nevertheless it does not have things to the cult. The stamping seeds of messages,and the ingenious timing are missing. Particularly weakly Thorwarths own play, its figure works palely, however it is also heavily beside Ralf Richter and CO to represent a character that is similarly concise. Weakly also the music of Stoppok, at all BangBB and Was nicht passt... behave to each other like the music of the h-Blockxx and of Stoppok.

Subculture-comedy at its best!!!

[bogemam · 30 December 2002]

Before I went to the cinema to watch the movie I thought that there was no way at all that it might possibly get even close to its predecessor "bang boom bang". But in fact it did. It is not as good as "Bang boom bang" but almost. As with probably every subculture-comedy it is quite helpfull to be part of it in order to really get it. I grew up with people like those in the movie in my neighborhood and I have to say: Just perfect! The bunch of builders and a nerdy construction stundent that star the movie transport the scenery and the characters of Germany's working class of the ruhr-district area so convincingly and at the same time so hilariously that I can only say: Go and check it out for yourself, you'll love it (if you can speak german though). It's out in Germany on DVD already with tons of superextra stuff on it. It is only a pity that the movie will probably never be one for the screens all over the world as its humor simply cannot be translated as it lives of its language and accent.

Martin Bögemann

If it doesn't fit .. use a hammer(?)

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 5 March 2023]

No pun intended - I actually forgot, what the movie is called in English ... but I remember that it sounded crazy to say the least. If you would translate the title, it would go something like this: if it doesn't fit, you make it fit ... sounds strange to say the least, but it is what it is.

A german movie that is quite funny and it is well done too. It is predictable - with romance, twists and suspense so easy to spot ... and you can also guess where it leads most of the time ... if not all of the time. But if you suspend your disbelief ... well there is a lot of fun you can have. I have not seen the tv show that is based on the movie.

It's funny I never came around watching this until now ... good actors, which I did not remember when I had heard of the movie. One looks older here than in movies he did after this (Axel or Alex something)

Sometimes great, sometimes terrible

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 13 May 2015]

This is a German movie from 13 years ago that runs over 100 minutes and deals with the (not so) everyday life of a couple construction site workers. It is written and directed by Peter Thorwarth, who was only 30 when this was made. He also plays one of the central characters of the film. His most famous work to this day is probably his collaboration on the "Die Welle" screenplay. Sadly, in terms of acting here in this 2002 movie, I have to say he was a massive disappointment and his plot was possibly the weakest. The movie is based on a short film by Thorwarth which also already featured Ralf Richter. Now that I mentioned Richter, this film has quite a couple actors who seem perfect for construction workers: Richter, Bär, Sözer and Brandner fit their characters nicely and same goes for Willi Thomczyk, who I have seen on "Die Camper" already. i like him and I think it is a bit of a pity he isn't in films anymore these days. He is not truly talented and his characters are frequently the same, but somehow I always enjoy watching him and he feels pretty authentic in everything he does. Apart from the ones already mentioned, this movie also has Heinrich Schafmeister and Stefan Jürgens in minor roles and these two are fun to watch as always. The only real female role is played by Alexandra Maria Lara ("Downfall"). She is still a rising star here.

The humor in this film is fairly in the face and vulgar (about erections for example) and may even be offensive to some audiences. I initially thought they really killed the Polish guy and it was fairly funny how he kept reappearing throughout the movie. In terms of drama, this movie was a massive disappointment though. There were some scenes, especially involving Thorwarth's character which were intended for drama, but none of these really worked and his love story with Lara's character was totally uninteresting as well. She was truly wasted in this movie. Another very funny scene was Bär's character's meltdown near the end and you could easily see that he is probably the most talented member of the main cast in this movie. But there was unfunny stuff too: the bomb was so random, everything involving Thorwarth's character etc. I also wondered how he was so forgiving towards the construction site workers after they bullied him all the time early on and then even watched how they killed another guy and made him disappear. Yet, he tries to become friends with them, obviously as Lara's character was the daughter of his boss. To me, all in all this film was a disappointment. it had its moments, but there just weren't many enough and they could have cut a lot out and kept this movie at 80 minutes with all the essential and funny developments. This would have helped the film a lot. At times, I felt that this was almost a "Werner Beinhart" live action movie. But it was not as entertaining as these animated cartoon films. Not recommended.