Die fremde Frau (2004 TV Movie) User Reviews

A German "Obsession"

[WKamp · 8/10 · 26 October 2008]

The Vertigo-like atmosphere of this German film is a welcome change to the German TV- thriller genre. Director Glasner knows his Hitchcock and refers to a dozen of the master's classics. Bernard Hermann's Vertigo-Score dominates the dreamlike atmosphere of this story of passion, guilt and revenge. Not easy to understand (don't glimpse or you'll miss the clues) but always interesting to watch, it is a real oddity. I liked the terrible mother (another Hitchcock standard) best - a great performance. The story is very artificial and far-fetched, but it doesn't matter: it is all about style and atmosphere. If you like Hitchcock, DePama or Mario Bava - this is for you!

unusually intelligent and sharp for a TV movie

[gep-3 · 9/10 · 15 February 2005]

*****POTENTIAL SPOILER****** This is a very intelligent and sharp German movie - almost cannot be seen it was made for TV. A brilliant storyline and equally well elaborated script, good directing and superb acting especially by the passionate Corinna Harfouch (recently can be seen in the Downfall as the gruesome Magda Goebbels - also terrific acting). She works her character - with all emotions and thoughts - deeply internally and transform herself to the character totally. All the other main characters are very good and convincing and as you watch the movie you'll get more and more excited because the tension is permanently boosted up to the final climax which leaves you just shocked and dizzy. What happens from the appearance of the "Fremde Frau" (The Strange Lady)is very well explained and motivated and to look from the end backwards everything get a second (even third) meaning and add something to the understanding. This movie is far more than a simple TV thriller, this is a gem of the new German film-making. If you have a chance just watch it and will be surprised. 9 out of 10.

I wish she'd stayed a stranger

[richard_sleboe · 2/10 · 18 February 2008]

The talent of Corinna Harfouch and Ulrich Tukur, arguably among Germany's finest screen actors, is wasted on this attempt to make a Hitchcock movie in present-day Hamburg. Stumbling through pretentiously lit, bourgeois sets, they recite pathetic lines they obviously have a hard time taking seriously. The story (by Thomas Schwank) feels like it's based on Martin Suter's best-selling novel "Small World", but it has been so clumsily adapted it makes you squirm in your seat. I simply cannot believe this comes from acclaimed director Matthias Glasner, the man who brought us 1990s milestones like "Sexy Sadie" and "Fandango". The only bright spot is Judith Engel in the part of Tukur's wife, an unassuming second-glance beauty who keeps her cool amidst all the hot air.