I thoroughly enjoyed this film - I enjoyed the storyline, as well as the great cast & acting. In fact it was so good, that I watched it twice in a row.
This is one of those 'they don't make them like this anymore' films, with a traditional, heart-warming family-orientated storyline. Whilst the story is loosely based around Christmas, I wouldn't necessarily class this film as a 'Family Movie', as there are some pretty heavy subjects in its base - such as suicide, domestic abuse, stalking, etc. Not a great film to watch with the kids.
On the other hand, it's a fantastic film to watch with other adult family members, as the plot is filled with dark humour, wit, jealousy, revenge, compulsion, low-grade action and best of all LOVE.
The film revolves around the pessimistic and 'miserable' divorced pet shop owner Herr Böhmke (Waltz), who stalks his divorced wife (played by Barbara Auer) every opportunity he has. Auer still lives in the apartment right next to his, so opportunities are rife for him to invade her privacy. Auer, who plays an eccentric, obsessive compulsive tax accountant with a fondness for donuts, wood polish and angels, tries her very best to avoid Waltz (but to little avail).
Waltz, who is still in love with his ex-wife Auer and regrets losing her, is emotionally shattered when he discovers that she has found a new love in her life, a paediatrician, whom she intends to move in with. Waltz results to a failed suicide attempt in his pet shop, in order to regain the attention and sympathies of his ex-wife, to no avail. Waltz then enlists the help of a young boy named Sascha, as well as a psychology student working part-time in his pet shop, for new ideas on how to win his wife back.
Auer, who has a fondness for children, instantly takes to Sascha, whom Waltz has 'fostered' (so to speak), as the young boy is likewise suffering for a turbulent home, where his parents regularly partake in domestic violence. Through their mutual fondness of Sascha, Waltz and Auer rekindle their passion for each other. Waltz is also transformed through his interactions with Sascha, and becomes a kinder, caring, funnier and happier man.
Although the bond between Waltz and Auer is becoming stronger again, the domestic violence at home reaches a peak, and Sascha's father Herr Wittkamp (Pasquale Aleardi) disappears without a trace, just before Christmas. Sascha is devastated, and in his misery, accidentally slips & falls into a freezing cold river (from which he is rescued by Waltz), who then contracts pneumonia, and ends up in hospital in a critical state. Heart broken, Waltz's passion is fuelled by the thought of losing Sascha and seeing him so unhappy, he becomes determined to find Herr Wittkamp at any cost. Eventually, Herr Wittkamp is found lying in the snow on a park bench with a whiskey bottle. Waltz takes Herr Wittkamp into his own home, and rehabilitates him. Waltz then proceeds to hire Wittkamp in his pet store.
This promising film warms the hearts of viewers by having a similarly happy ending, in which Wittkamp is reunited with Sascha and his wife (for the better), and Auer announces that she made a terrible mistake in divorcing Waltz and breaks off the relationship with the paediatrician. The film ends by viewers watching the silhouettes of Waltz and Auer kissing through a snow-covered window pane on Christmas Eve.
This movie has the 'stuff of great movies', and takes viewers through highs and lows, happiness and sadness, laughter and unique quirks, and its heart-warming story line does not fail to impress. Waltz's performance is ingenious, as he entertains viewers with his usual unique style of extremist passion, aloof sexiness, wit, dark humour, sarcasm, and determination. Auer is also brilliant, and portrays her role of a hot ended, compulsive accountant torn between two lovers remarkably well.
A film I certainly enjoyed very much, and would recommend to all.
This is one of those 'they don't make them like this anymore' films, with a traditional, heart-warming family-orientated storyline. Whilst the story is loosely based around Christmas, I wouldn't necessarily class this film as a 'Family Movie', as there are some pretty heavy subjects in its base - such as suicide, domestic abuse, stalking, etc. Not a great film to watch with the kids.
On the other hand, it's a fantastic film to watch with other adult family members, as the plot is filled with dark humour, wit, jealousy, revenge, compulsion, low-grade action and best of all LOVE.
The film revolves around the pessimistic and 'miserable' divorced pet shop owner Herr Böhmke (Waltz), who stalks his divorced wife (played by Barbara Auer) every opportunity he has. Auer still lives in the apartment right next to his, so opportunities are rife for him to invade her privacy. Auer, who plays an eccentric, obsessive compulsive tax accountant with a fondness for donuts, wood polish and angels, tries her very best to avoid Waltz (but to little avail).
Waltz, who is still in love with his ex-wife Auer and regrets losing her, is emotionally shattered when he discovers that she has found a new love in her life, a paediatrician, whom she intends to move in with. Waltz results to a failed suicide attempt in his pet shop, in order to regain the attention and sympathies of his ex-wife, to no avail. Waltz then enlists the help of a young boy named Sascha, as well as a psychology student working part-time in his pet shop, for new ideas on how to win his wife back.
Auer, who has a fondness for children, instantly takes to Sascha, whom Waltz has 'fostered' (so to speak), as the young boy is likewise suffering for a turbulent home, where his parents regularly partake in domestic violence. Through their mutual fondness of Sascha, Waltz and Auer rekindle their passion for each other. Waltz is also transformed through his interactions with Sascha, and becomes a kinder, caring, funnier and happier man.
Although the bond between Waltz and Auer is becoming stronger again, the domestic violence at home reaches a peak, and Sascha's father Herr Wittkamp (Pasquale Aleardi) disappears without a trace, just before Christmas. Sascha is devastated, and in his misery, accidentally slips & falls into a freezing cold river (from which he is rescued by Waltz), who then contracts pneumonia, and ends up in hospital in a critical state. Heart broken, Waltz's passion is fuelled by the thought of losing Sascha and seeing him so unhappy, he becomes determined to find Herr Wittkamp at any cost. Eventually, Herr Wittkamp is found lying in the snow on a park bench with a whiskey bottle. Waltz takes Herr Wittkamp into his own home, and rehabilitates him. Waltz then proceeds to hire Wittkamp in his pet store.
This promising film warms the hearts of viewers by having a similarly happy ending, in which Wittkamp is reunited with Sascha and his wife (for the better), and Auer announces that she made a terrible mistake in divorcing Waltz and breaks off the relationship with the paediatrician. The film ends by viewers watching the silhouettes of Waltz and Auer kissing through a snow-covered window pane on Christmas Eve.
This movie has the 'stuff of great movies', and takes viewers through highs and lows, happiness and sadness, laughter and unique quirks, and its heart-warming story line does not fail to impress. Waltz's performance is ingenious, as he entertains viewers with his usual unique style of extremist passion, aloof sexiness, wit, dark humour, sarcasm, and determination. Auer is also brilliant, and portrays her role of a hot ended, compulsive accountant torn between two lovers remarkably well.
A film I certainly enjoyed very much, and would recommend to all.
