This isn't a masterpiece of cinema but it's not rubbish. Eight Miles High focuses on the German model Uschi Obermaier and her progression from a small town teenager to a world traveling model/activist/groupie. I had never heard of Uschi Obermaier before and this film not only introduced her to me but peaked my curiosity about her. Like her character narrated in the film, she was an "egotistical monster" but her story is something so unimaginable, so fascinating that you can't believe it. Unlike the other reviewer, I feel that Uschi accomplished much not out of her simple beginnings. Granted modeling doesn't save lives but she was fearless and lived a life that few of us would ever dare. The acting in this film was not trite or clichéd and, in fact, I found the actors who played Uschi, Keith Richards, and Bockhorm endearing and engaging. If you like movies about strong, independent women this is something to watch! Uschi Obermaier's life reads more like a fiction novel than a nonfiction title. The only qualm I had with the movie is it ended too short.
23 Reviews
I vote 7 because
Aries_Primal24 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Years ago I watched the movie just because Ville Valo made the soundtrack. Today I watched it for 3rd or 4th time.
Film is brilliant. All the actors did a great job and I would vote with 9 if not for the few things I'm going to count here: I hated how Bockhorn said a few annoying things he did to Uschi. Tied her up, raped her. No matter what, it sounds wrong and disgusting.
I also disliked how selfish she is, one idea more humble things could end different.
The scene of the burning corpse was the worst thing I've seen so far.
That guy Rainer, absolute childish dude. Just no.
Natalia Avelon played the role absolutely fantastic, she's even more beautiful than Uschi Obermaier. I was never interested in her, but this film made me check her character and life. Avelon played the role so confident, so realistic, so passionate, it was great performance. I am not aware of Obermaier's life, if thing were authentic or changed, but I'd say one in a million have a chance she had, and she blown it away. Anyway, I'l l say it again, great film!
Film is brilliant. All the actors did a great job and I would vote with 9 if not for the few things I'm going to count here: I hated how Bockhorn said a few annoying things he did to Uschi. Tied her up, raped her. No matter what, it sounds wrong and disgusting.
I also disliked how selfish she is, one idea more humble things could end different.
The scene of the burning corpse was the worst thing I've seen so far.
That guy Rainer, absolute childish dude. Just no.
Natalia Avelon played the role absolutely fantastic, she's even more beautiful than Uschi Obermaier. I was never interested in her, but this film made me check her character and life. Avelon played the role so confident, so realistic, so passionate, it was great performance. I am not aware of Obermaier's life, if thing were authentic or changed, but I'd say one in a million have a chance she had, and she blown it away. Anyway, I'l l say it again, great film!
The summer I actually met Uschi and Dieter
kf201212 February 2014
I haven't seen the movie yet, I didn't know there was one, but I and some friends actually met Uschi and Dieter Bockhorn at the Maroon Bells Park in Aspen in early 80's, I think. I could look the date up on my slides, I guess. We spent the evening with them partying in their awesome, customized Mercedes bus overlooking the lake. It was really fun and interesting. We had NO idea who they were. Dieter was very cool, but couldn't speak English very well. Uschi translated for him but she had a heavy, very sexy, German-glish accent. They told us all about their travels, how they got their bus, about their wedding in India riding elephants, and about the magazine articles Dieter wroteÂ…one was about "The Return of Uschi" so we figured she was obviously famous somehow, but we couldn't really understand the story with the language barrier and all. Not sure they even tried to explain. They were very friendly and down-to-earth. She was absolutely, amazingly, stunningly beautiful. Her hair was short then. She kissed me on the cheek when we said our goodbyes the next morning. Then we went our separate ways. We wrote back and forth a time or two. She said they were on their way to Baja Mexico where they went in the winters. I tried to look them up on the web without success, because I mistakenly tried looking for Uschi "Bockhorn." When I finally discovered her correct name and story I was stunned. And when I found out that Dieter had died, not too very long after we met them I was doubly-stunned and saddened. My middle son is named Dieter. Maybe I'll write her again sometime, maybe not, but I'll always remember that night. In the meantime I'm not sure if I want to get to know the Uschi of this movie or the Uschi I remember. We'll have to see.
A bad actress for a bad person?
Horst_In_Translation13 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Uschi Obermaier is certainly a very controversial character. I thing the best term to describe her would be "society slut". She loved the company of very important or very rich people and if she had enough of one man and sees a chance to be with a more powerful man, she would not hesitate. So, even if I despise the character, I can somewhat see why they would make a film about her and also why this film is actually pretty well-known, also outside of Germany. But that does not mean it's a good movie. The first problem is Natalia Avalon who is neither a good actress nor a good singer and I have no idea why she was cast here. i guess because she is fairly attractive and wasn't scared to show full frontal nudity.
The story is not really great either I have to say, but it's not entirely bad either. However, the by far best thing about this 110 minute film is the makeup. They did a really good job on Schweighöfer's character and lets not say he gave a good performance. He certainly did not. All the makeup and Langhans' unique looks did the job on him. And in the end, the makeup on Keuth Richard was spot-on as well. So I am sort-of okay with the 2 German Film Award nominations that this movie received. The writer and director here is Achim Bornhak, but there is nothing more to say about him. Even here in Germany, he is pretty much unknown and this is the only famous film he worked on. Finally, a thumbs-up for Georg Friedrich who plays well as always. But his character was too small to make up for all the negative aspects in this movie. Not recommended.
The story is not really great either I have to say, but it's not entirely bad either. However, the by far best thing about this 110 minute film is the makeup. They did a really good job on Schweighöfer's character and lets not say he gave a good performance. He certainly did not. All the makeup and Langhans' unique looks did the job on him. And in the end, the makeup on Keuth Richard was spot-on as well. So I am sort-of okay with the 2 German Film Award nominations that this movie received. The writer and director here is Achim Bornhak, but there is nothing more to say about him. Even here in Germany, he is pretty much unknown and this is the only famous film he worked on. Finally, a thumbs-up for Georg Friedrich who plays well as always. But his character was too small to make up for all the negative aspects in this movie. Not recommended.
A cinematic milestone? No! Good entertainment? Hell, yeah!!!
skinmeister13 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Just saw this entertaining little flick and can't help but disagree with the first review by Andreas Jacke (which quite frankly doesn't make much sense anyway). Directed by Achim Bornhak, who already proved to be an expert at creating an authentic atmosphere with his feature length debut "Die Nacht der Nächte – School's Out", "Das wilde Leben" most definitely won't go down in the annals of cinematic history as a masterpiece, but still provides 120 minutes of well acted, lovingly decorated and beautifully photographed entertainment. Based on the biography of legendary German starlet Uschi Obermaier who set out to see as much of the world and have as much fun as possible the movie covers a period of approximately 15 years starting with Uschi's arrival in the Kommune 1 in Berlin in the late 60's and ending with the death of her lover and traveling companion Bockhorn in Mexico in 1983.
There has been some criticism about "Das wilde Leben" changing its tone quite rapidly after an hour with the beginning of their journey across the world but that's not entirely true. Throughout the first 90 minutes it actually functions neatly as an ironic comedy filled with memorable characters that may mostly not seem particularly likable at first, but that you end up enjoy watching nonetheless. Being able to speak German, however, is a necessity to fully appreciate this movie, since a considerable portion of the humor relies on the variety of dialects that are spoken. Although the cast almost exclusively consists of newcomers they all do an admirable job at bringing their characters to life without ever making the mistake of taking them too seriously. Especially Natalia Avelon shows that she is destined to be one of the new stars of German cinema. Born in Poland and raised in Baden-WĂ¼rttemberg, Germany she also succeeds at handling the specific Bavarian dialect the young Uschi Obermaier used to speak with. Similarly flawless performances come from Matthias Schweighöfer and David Scheller (a very underrated actor) whereas Georg Friedrich and Alexander Scheer provide some occasional comic relief. Starting with Uschi's and Bockhorn's wedding the movie then indeed takes a couple of dramatic turns for its final reels which however didn't distract me in any way. Others are of course free to have a different opinion about that.
Tech credits are pro, especially the beautifully designed sets and costumes further enhance the movie's authenticity. For a rather small German production that didn't go the easy way by relying on big stars they obviously had a more than decent budget. That it wasn't enough to obtain the rights for some of the more famous hits of that time gets rather obvious early on, but at least in my opinion it wouldn't be fair to blame the movie for this little shortcoming. Anyone who knows a bit about this kind of stuff is most likely aware of the absurd amounts of money that filmmakers have to pay for every snippet of a song they may or may not want to use. Plus: Both, the songs they ended up with and Alexander Hacke's versatile score support the action excellently. I particularly dig the piece he composed for the demonstration sequence. Natalia Avelon's and Ville Valo's cover version of "Summer Wine" of course isn't half bad, either.
Much has also been talked and written about the numerous nude scenes featuring the beautiful Natalia Avelon, although the most explicit and lengthy one actually is provided by Matthias Schweighöfer early in the movie. There also is some quick but pretty damn real looking oral sex featuring Valerie Lasserre and David Scheller but due to the way it's shot they may as well have used a prosthetic. Still, considering that "Das wilde Leben" has been given a FSK12 (the German equivalent of the American PG-13) both males and females definitely get their money's worth in this department.
Obviously "Das wilde Leben" isn't a movie for everyone. Although extremely well performed most of the characters don't really have much depth, a storyline in the actual sense of the word doesn't exist and the vast amount of nudity may turn more uptight people off. Still, if you can get past all that you most likely may end up enjoying the ride. I sure did! In fact the entire cinema seemed to have a ball on that evening, especially throughout the first 90 minutes.
There has been some criticism about "Das wilde Leben" changing its tone quite rapidly after an hour with the beginning of their journey across the world but that's not entirely true. Throughout the first 90 minutes it actually functions neatly as an ironic comedy filled with memorable characters that may mostly not seem particularly likable at first, but that you end up enjoy watching nonetheless. Being able to speak German, however, is a necessity to fully appreciate this movie, since a considerable portion of the humor relies on the variety of dialects that are spoken. Although the cast almost exclusively consists of newcomers they all do an admirable job at bringing their characters to life without ever making the mistake of taking them too seriously. Especially Natalia Avelon shows that she is destined to be one of the new stars of German cinema. Born in Poland and raised in Baden-WĂ¼rttemberg, Germany she also succeeds at handling the specific Bavarian dialect the young Uschi Obermaier used to speak with. Similarly flawless performances come from Matthias Schweighöfer and David Scheller (a very underrated actor) whereas Georg Friedrich and Alexander Scheer provide some occasional comic relief. Starting with Uschi's and Bockhorn's wedding the movie then indeed takes a couple of dramatic turns for its final reels which however didn't distract me in any way. Others are of course free to have a different opinion about that.
Tech credits are pro, especially the beautifully designed sets and costumes further enhance the movie's authenticity. For a rather small German production that didn't go the easy way by relying on big stars they obviously had a more than decent budget. That it wasn't enough to obtain the rights for some of the more famous hits of that time gets rather obvious early on, but at least in my opinion it wouldn't be fair to blame the movie for this little shortcoming. Anyone who knows a bit about this kind of stuff is most likely aware of the absurd amounts of money that filmmakers have to pay for every snippet of a song they may or may not want to use. Plus: Both, the songs they ended up with and Alexander Hacke's versatile score support the action excellently. I particularly dig the piece he composed for the demonstration sequence. Natalia Avelon's and Ville Valo's cover version of "Summer Wine" of course isn't half bad, either.
Much has also been talked and written about the numerous nude scenes featuring the beautiful Natalia Avelon, although the most explicit and lengthy one actually is provided by Matthias Schweighöfer early in the movie. There also is some quick but pretty damn real looking oral sex featuring Valerie Lasserre and David Scheller but due to the way it's shot they may as well have used a prosthetic. Still, considering that "Das wilde Leben" has been given a FSK12 (the German equivalent of the American PG-13) both males and females definitely get their money's worth in this department.
Obviously "Das wilde Leben" isn't a movie for everyone. Although extremely well performed most of the characters don't really have much depth, a storyline in the actual sense of the word doesn't exist and the vast amount of nudity may turn more uptight people off. Still, if you can get past all that you most likely may end up enjoying the ride. I sure did! In fact the entire cinema seemed to have a ball on that evening, especially throughout the first 90 minutes.
This film is rubbish!
chloediskin30 August 2007
This film describes itself as telling the story of Uschi Obermaier, a 1968 "icon" in the "student revolts". What it in fact shows is that she was nothing more than a girl with a good figure trying to make it out of small-town Bavaria. Apart from making money doing photo shoots and living in the Kommune I for a while, she did not do anything worthwhile for the movement. And this all the film cares to show us as well. Most of the film is actually based on her frustrating and uninteresting relationship with a guy from St.Pauli with whom she drives around in a van with for most of the film. Her thick accent is way too exaggerated, her non- acting tedious and the overall story predictable. The film is full of clichés from the 60s like free love and rock 'n roll and are not explored in any new or interesting way. Add to this the bad remake of the song 'Summer Wine" which is over-played incessantly during the film renders this a very poor 2 out of 10.
An inspiring movie
veve_veve18 June 2011
I'm disappointed about the low rating that this movie has. It's one of my favorites and I've watched it several times. I've read other reviews to see why it has such a low rating, and I notice that people expect from it something that it's not. They expect it to be about the "Kommune", they expect it to be about an extraordinary girl, and they expect expensive set designs.
This movie is not about all that. The way I see it, Das Wilde Leben is about a journey, it's about a girl who is free and is not afraid to break boundaries, it's about a girl who uses her beauty to have the adventure of her life. She falls in love with powerful men, she lives wildly, she sees the world. And, above all, this movie is about a powerful woman.
Is the movie true to the historical facts? Is it true to Uschi's life? That's not what's important. It's a movie, not a documentary. Beyond the cheap sets and the historical inaccuracies (if there are any) lays a beautiful and inspiring story.
This movie is not about all that. The way I see it, Das Wilde Leben is about a journey, it's about a girl who is free and is not afraid to break boundaries, it's about a girl who uses her beauty to have the adventure of her life. She falls in love with powerful men, she lives wildly, she sees the world. And, above all, this movie is about a powerful woman.
Is the movie true to the historical facts? Is it true to Uschi's life? That's not what's important. It's a movie, not a documentary. Beyond the cheap sets and the historical inaccuracies (if there are any) lays a beautiful and inspiring story.
Embarrassingly bad
Karl Self24 July 2010
Considering that this movie features a stunningly beautiful woman running around starkers on screen for about 1/3 of the movie, it's surprisingly boring.
The movie is about the most beautiful face of the 1960ies student revolts in Germany -- Uschi Obermaier. Unfortunately, she was little more than a beautiful face (and a very fit body), so possibly the movie's first mistake was picking her as a subject. The next mistake was to chose Natalia Avelon as lead actress -- she may be a great photo model, but she's not much of an actress, and her attempts to mimic Obermaier's charmingly proletarian Bavarian dialect are disastrous, she makes it sound as if Obermaier had some sort of speech impediment.
The makers of this movie apparently had enough money for great cinematography, exotic locations and some great music (to viz, "Kick Out The Jams" by the MC5), but they ought to have invested some of it for hiring someone who can write dialogues, which are risibly bad. The same goes for the "political" scenes -- the Kommune 1 comes off as a bunch of stoner caricatures. If none of the makers grasped what the political and cultural upheavals of the late 1960ies were about, why did they make a movie about that era? Overall the movie never allowed me to understand what Obermaier saw in Langhans or Bockhorn (or what Keith Richards or Mick Jagger saw in Mrs Obermaier, for that matter), or what infatuated them about her.
To give you an example of the hammy script: near the beginning of the plot, her mother discovers some nude pictures of her young daughter. Uschi consequently packs her suitcase, and in the next scene we see her and a girlfriend hitchhiking to Berlin -- for some reason, not along the only (and mandatory) highway that leads from Munich to the divided city, but on some backroad. None of the squares gives them a lift (presumably because pretty young girls were discriminated against in that day and age), until the archetypal VW hippie bus arrives on the scene. They climb aboard, someone hands them a comic-sized reefer, and announces that they're going to pay the Kommune I a visit. They arrive just as the most famous photograph of the KI is being taken, with the communards lined up naked against the wall. Rainer Langhans, still naked, strolls over to the new arrivals, and Uschi is of course instantly infatuated. And so on.
Basically, a (non-porn) movie about some shallow groupie shacking up with some celebrities is difficult to make captivating, and this movie gives it an especially half-arsed shot. I just found it painfully boring to watch.
The movie is about the most beautiful face of the 1960ies student revolts in Germany -- Uschi Obermaier. Unfortunately, she was little more than a beautiful face (and a very fit body), so possibly the movie's first mistake was picking her as a subject. The next mistake was to chose Natalia Avelon as lead actress -- she may be a great photo model, but she's not much of an actress, and her attempts to mimic Obermaier's charmingly proletarian Bavarian dialect are disastrous, she makes it sound as if Obermaier had some sort of speech impediment.
The makers of this movie apparently had enough money for great cinematography, exotic locations and some great music (to viz, "Kick Out The Jams" by the MC5), but they ought to have invested some of it for hiring someone who can write dialogues, which are risibly bad. The same goes for the "political" scenes -- the Kommune 1 comes off as a bunch of stoner caricatures. If none of the makers grasped what the political and cultural upheavals of the late 1960ies were about, why did they make a movie about that era? Overall the movie never allowed me to understand what Obermaier saw in Langhans or Bockhorn (or what Keith Richards or Mick Jagger saw in Mrs Obermaier, for that matter), or what infatuated them about her.
To give you an example of the hammy script: near the beginning of the plot, her mother discovers some nude pictures of her young daughter. Uschi consequently packs her suitcase, and in the next scene we see her and a girlfriend hitchhiking to Berlin -- for some reason, not along the only (and mandatory) highway that leads from Munich to the divided city, but on some backroad. None of the squares gives them a lift (presumably because pretty young girls were discriminated against in that day and age), until the archetypal VW hippie bus arrives on the scene. They climb aboard, someone hands them a comic-sized reefer, and announces that they're going to pay the Kommune I a visit. They arrive just as the most famous photograph of the KI is being taken, with the communards lined up naked against the wall. Rainer Langhans, still naked, strolls over to the new arrivals, and Uschi is of course instantly infatuated. And so on.
Basically, a (non-porn) movie about some shallow groupie shacking up with some celebrities is difficult to make captivating, and this movie gives it an especially half-arsed shot. I just found it painfully boring to watch.
Set in the 1960s and 1970s, a biographical tale of free love without commitment.
TxMike19 April 2012
Saw this on Netflix streaming movies. Much of the movie is in German with English subtitles, but some of it is in English.
Uschi Obermaier was (is?) apparently a real person who joined in with what we would call the hippie free-love movement in 1960s Germany. But she was also a model and a very successful one. Much of her modeling was nude or semi-nude, graphically depicted in the film, and the actress certainly has a Playboy-worthy beauty.
German actress Natalia Avelon plays Uschi Obermaier . While she is the central character her life and travels take her many places and with many famous people. The beginning and the end of the film are the same, she is standing nude on the beach, watching a raft burn, symbolic of her relationships that had died and the men with them. In between is her story.
The critic Ebert has a very good and accurate review. Interesting film, but I lived through the 1960s and 1970s, I remember those days, and watching this one didn't do much for me.
Uschi Obermaier was (is?) apparently a real person who joined in with what we would call the hippie free-love movement in 1960s Germany. But she was also a model and a very successful one. Much of her modeling was nude or semi-nude, graphically depicted in the film, and the actress certainly has a Playboy-worthy beauty.
German actress Natalia Avelon plays Uschi Obermaier . While she is the central character her life and travels take her many places and with many famous people. The beginning and the end of the film are the same, she is standing nude on the beach, watching a raft burn, symbolic of her relationships that had died and the men with them. In between is her story.
The critic Ebert has a very good and accurate review. Interesting film, but I lived through the 1960s and 1970s, I remember those days, and watching this one didn't do much for me.
There is no plot to speak about but more of a bio
jordondave-2808520 July 2023
(2007) Eight Miles High
(In German with English subtitles)
DRAMA/ BIOGRAPHY
Love it or hate it, all it is, is basically a true account (shown in stages) of a supposedly attractive female German model who got by as a result of her looks which anyone can find from every person you can possibly meet. The only difference with this one is that she made-out with 2 members of "The Rolling Stones" during the late 60's and 70's and she made a once wealthy tycoon to waste a lot of money on her by using most of it on an expensive bus for the purpose of traveling. I've only turned it off once upon watching through this, sometimes wondering aimlessly when she's going to disrobe again and make out with someone else since she's often nude throughout along with a few tiny dicks.
Love it or hate it, all it is, is basically a true account (shown in stages) of a supposedly attractive female German model who got by as a result of her looks which anyone can find from every person you can possibly meet. The only difference with this one is that she made-out with 2 members of "The Rolling Stones" during the late 60's and 70's and she made a once wealthy tycoon to waste a lot of money on her by using most of it on an expensive bus for the purpose of traveling. I've only turned it off once upon watching through this, sometimes wondering aimlessly when she's going to disrobe again and make out with someone else since she's often nude throughout along with a few tiny dicks.
Best German Movie Ever! (Which I've seen)
SummerMood5 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Well, I always thought that Germany can't do great movies, but now I know it can! I was surprised that it was so unbelievable good! The story of Uschi Obermaier was filmed excellent. The movie shows the audience the height and depths of Obermaier's life. And to be true, I love Natalia Avelon. She looks like Uschi Obermaier and I think that she is the perfect actress for that role. Her hair style is almost the same (in the movie). I had watched the movie with a friend and she thought it is too sexual she didn't like it, but I did! OK, it would be better if Keith Richards would be played by a English actor but it is okay. I think it is also good that there are parts which are just spoken in English. I love English so I really enjoyed it. The film locations are perfect. I am overwhelmed by that bus in which they drive through the world in six years. Now the acting: Brilliant! Natalia is sexy, what she has to be in that kind of movie. She acts so amazing. She can play funny scenes but also serious ones. Especially in the scene where she looses her baby or where her husband dies she shows us that she can also play sad movies. The music is excellent. I love that song "Summer Wine". Natalia Avelon sings that song herself! Well, I can only say that everybody who likes hot women and excellent movies should go in it.
10 of 10 stars!
10 of 10 stars!
most stupid movie ever seen
AvalonEntertainment23 May 2007
This is probably the worst of all the terrible German movies I had to watch over the years. If there was an award for stupidity the movie would definitely get it. I don't want even to mention the terrible acting, the cheap set design, the pointless "story" or the idiotic dialog and the overall horrible look which are nowadays standard for German films. What's really bothering is that for some reason the creators seem not to have the slightest idea what the "Kommune" and the whole 68 movement were about, what they wanted and what they did. The movie deals with childish clichés - the scene when Uschi and Rainer meet the Rolling - Stones is so exquisitely ridiculous that you will have trouble to believe your eyes - even if this is somehow true for the whole movie. If Uschi has really coauthored this we're all asking us if he had so many drugs during the time that she probably did not even get what was going on. Otherwise: How could this possibly happen?
For those who missed the mythical 60s
melimelo-312 September 2008
A wonderful rendering of the 60s. If you grew up like me with the 1968 revolution as a mythical era, this film will make you jubilate. Sex, drugs, rock and roll, radical thinking, revolutionaries, and the research of freedom, pleasure and new horizons. Freeing of the mind, freeing of the bodyÂ… In her small town in Bavaria, Obermaier feels the revolution pounding in her bones and can't stay in place in her confined, old-fashioned home. Listening to rock music is her escape but it simply is not enough. She takes off and lives in an activist commune for some time before becoming a lover of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and marrying a rich adventurer and traveling the world with him. A lively portrait of strong-willed Obermaier, her rebelliousness and search for unbound freedom. "Don't dream your life, live your dream" is a motto that appears in the film and could not apply better. Uschi appears unstoppable, ready to conquer the world, explore the confines of freedom. Inspiring.
Very Beautiful but stupid
a-jacke4 February 2007
It is stupid to talk about this film seriously. It is a total stupid picture about history. Not more than a comic-strip. It has nothing to do with reality. If we Germans make film about erotic it is always total stupid. Thats a great problem. It is not possible to make a seriously film about sex and drugs and rock- roll - because everybody here this it is only a game and not a real way to go with intelligence.
The first scene in this film- father - mother and naked daughter shows us all. Only artificial - stupid without any felling or telling about a true story. All characters are only like in the Muppet's show - but this film should be no parody!! If should be slapstick it would be better- Only the journey to India and the naked are girl are good--- I've been waiting for the German teen girls who are sleep with David bowie in his Berlin time. Would they be shown so stupid too?
The first scene in this film- father - mother and naked daughter shows us all. Only artificial - stupid without any felling or telling about a true story. All characters are only like in the Muppet's show - but this film should be no parody!! If should be slapstick it would be better- Only the journey to India and the naked are girl are good--- I've been waiting for the German teen girls who are sleep with David bowie in his Berlin time. Would they be shown so stupid too?
I was there.
rpullman-111 July 2008
I will catch this film when it plays here in Chicago in August. I was in Kommune 1 for a couple of weeks in March of 1969. There were two residences - Rainer Langhans, Uschi Obermaier, Dieter Kunzelmann stayed in the larger of the two, a factory loft sort of place. I stayed in the other residence, a dozen or so people in one large room. I went there with a friend from Frankfurt who wanted to reconcile with his girlfriend, who had left him for Dieter Kunzelmann. His girlfriend was unreceptive and he split right away. I was welcome to stay on for a while and did. It was easy living. Everyone was nice, except grouchy Dieter. No star attitudes or pretensions. Both Rainer and Uschi were very grounded, not at all affected by their notoriety. I think that set the tone. I'll give this film a 10 just on its subject matter.
Nothing beyond nakedness
stopjen15 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Full of noise with very little substance. On the background: with so much exciting material in the 60s and 70s this film only takes a meagre glimpse of the politics, history, youth, music, and media. On the foreground: our protagonist has no purposes or goals or beliefs beyond open sexual relationships (when they suit her, one might add). It also leaves no room for the supporting characters as they shy away next to the heroine's frequent and stunning nakedness.
Where the film fails miserably is that pieces of Uschi's memories do not invite audiences to be emotionally involved. They were mere events, things she had done, most of the time simply for spontaneous fun. There are a few failed attempts to portray her wildness, but they instead display her stupidity (e.g., she insists on smuggling drugs yet it's her partner who meets and wins the confrontation).
By the end of the film - of moving from one group to another, mingling with the "high society" of the rock 'n' roll, travelling in a caravan around half of the world, having a prince- like wedding in India, pregnancy, etc. - both the heroine and the audience are still none the wiser. The odd narratives only provides abrupt and surprising statements like when she muses about "the two men I loved most". Huh? Which two? Since when???
Her happiness is built on drugs and sexual pleasure. Her tears are shallow and unmoving. There seems to be no connection between her and any other characters except for the one she's currently sleeping with. (I don't even know what her best friend looks like as she speaks hardly 3 words.) Even then the connection is vague and confusing. Undeniably other characters display stronger personality at times, but it's largely undermined by their inconsistent and implausible behaviour.
The light is on but nobody's home - very much like our main character; perhaps in that sense this film isn't a total failure after all: it mirrors the character in itself.
Where the film fails miserably is that pieces of Uschi's memories do not invite audiences to be emotionally involved. They were mere events, things she had done, most of the time simply for spontaneous fun. There are a few failed attempts to portray her wildness, but they instead display her stupidity (e.g., she insists on smuggling drugs yet it's her partner who meets and wins the confrontation).
By the end of the film - of moving from one group to another, mingling with the "high society" of the rock 'n' roll, travelling in a caravan around half of the world, having a prince- like wedding in India, pregnancy, etc. - both the heroine and the audience are still none the wiser. The odd narratives only provides abrupt and surprising statements like when she muses about "the two men I loved most". Huh? Which two? Since when???
Her happiness is built on drugs and sexual pleasure. Her tears are shallow and unmoving. There seems to be no connection between her and any other characters except for the one she's currently sleeping with. (I don't even know what her best friend looks like as she speaks hardly 3 words.) Even then the connection is vague and confusing. Undeniably other characters display stronger personality at times, but it's largely undermined by their inconsistent and implausible behaviour.
The light is on but nobody's home - very much like our main character; perhaps in that sense this film isn't a total failure after all: it mirrors the character in itself.
OK I finally watched this.
kfroeschner31 March 2014
As I said earlier, we met Uschi and Dieter in Aspen, Colorado in 1982. I got a letter from her from Northern California in September of '82 prior to their trip to Mexico. I'm looking at it right now. She was excited that they were going to have a friend make a tepee for them and spend the winter living in it on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Uschi and Dieter that we spent an evening with gave no hint of being the type of people this movie portrays. They did not seem to be the dark and tortured souls that this movie shows them to be. They were happy, outgoing, talkative, generous and excited about the future. Dieter loved to fish. They loved Colorado. They enjoyed crossing the USA and had been all around it, but the movie make no mention of that time at all. The movie also gives no mention of her artistic talents. Uschi made scrimshaw, and as an artist I can tell you it was excellently done. She was going to have an exhibition of her scrimshaw in LA but I do not know if she ever did. I can't say they were friends of mine, exactly, having only spent one evening together but they were acquaintances and I have very fond memories of them. I'd always hoped one day I'd see their bus on the highway so I could say hello again. I don't know if this movie was authorized by Uschi as an accurate portrayal of their lives, but I do know it made me sad for them. My wish is for her happiness and hope that these last 30 years or so have been as happy as they could be.
Uschi, if you ever read this, blessings and happiness to you.
Uschi, if you ever read this, blessings and happiness to you.
Boring and predictable
epiphanes27 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
First of all historical events are easily past on. Nevermind that period of German history is very important for understanding "free love" movement on the Continent. Movie just goes on about Ushi's promiscuity and nothing about the ideas of that period. Secondly, you've get the feeling that Uschi was nothing more than a pretty face with no ideas of her own etc. Natalie Avelon is very pretty, but just can't act. She is bad as hell. Her accent is terrible. I understand German language, but I had difficulties understanding her mumbling. Third, there are not any other characters except hers, no deeper connection between the characters. And if there were some glimpses of that, those were briefly put down by Ushi's nudity. OK, I get the picture, she was pretty. So what!?! That shouldn't be the base of the movie. But it surely seems so. Summa summarum acting was bad, too much nudity that draws too much time and attention and no basic storyline. It's all cut to pieces and it's very predictable. They could've done much better work.
A real-to-life Film
asteinku13 August 2008
The story of Uschi Obermaier and her rise to fame in the 1960s. The film accurately depicts her life and in the process has many dope party scenes as well. The film is to premier in the US August 22 and I am excited to see how the English version will compare to the original German. Obermaier's accent is not "exaggerated" as the actress's native language is indeed German.
The unique viewpoint Uschi experienced during the social revolution makes for a very interesting film. Themes of growing up, life, learning to love, and experiencing loss all are major players. All in all, if you are looking for a film true to life, a film that doesn't gloss over the hardships and dull down the excitement of freedom, this is a movie for you.
The unique viewpoint Uschi experienced during the social revolution makes for a very interesting film. Themes of growing up, life, learning to love, and experiencing loss all are major players. All in all, if you are looking for a film true to life, a film that doesn't gloss over the hardships and dull down the excitement of freedom, this is a movie for you.
history omitted
wvisser-leusden6 May 2010
After recent films about Sixties-pop-icons like Jim Morrisson, Brian Jones and Edie Sedgwick, now Uschi Obermaier is on.
This time there's a big difference, though: Uschi survived her wild young days and is still doing well. If I may believe the 'making of'-chapter of my German DVD: the real Uschi has been involved in the process, improving authenticity. The DVD also includes a few nice shots of young Uschi in her Sixties & Seventies-days.
I've also read Uschi Obermaier's autobiography 'High Times', and conclude that actress Natalia Avelon plays her character well - all set up with true German thoroughness.
Both real Uschi and her film-copy are about a girl who imaged out the moods of her young days very well - just that. What remains untold in film and autobiography, is the history of the vibrating Sixties-youth culture.
-----------------------------------
Having lived through the thirties' economic depression and world war 2, Uschi's parents were strongly molded by these tragic times. Uschi and her generation, born shorty after the war, did not carry this emotional burden. They worried about a new danger their parents mostly ignored: environment pollution.
As a result, a wide generation-gap opened up. Youngsters like Uschi Obermaier felt a strong urge to liberate themselves from their parents' strong & strict moral rules. Add to that the new availability of anti-conceptive, greatly helping in experimenting with new lifestyles.
For Uschi's generation, the late Sixties and early Seventies were a time to develop a lifestyle they felt comfortable with. It is the German version of what happened in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood during the same period.
This time there's a big difference, though: Uschi survived her wild young days and is still doing well. If I may believe the 'making of'-chapter of my German DVD: the real Uschi has been involved in the process, improving authenticity. The DVD also includes a few nice shots of young Uschi in her Sixties & Seventies-days.
I've also read Uschi Obermaier's autobiography 'High Times', and conclude that actress Natalia Avelon plays her character well - all set up with true German thoroughness.
Both real Uschi and her film-copy are about a girl who imaged out the moods of her young days very well - just that. What remains untold in film and autobiography, is the history of the vibrating Sixties-youth culture.
-----------------------------------
Having lived through the thirties' economic depression and world war 2, Uschi's parents were strongly molded by these tragic times. Uschi and her generation, born shorty after the war, did not carry this emotional burden. They worried about a new danger their parents mostly ignored: environment pollution.
As a result, a wide generation-gap opened up. Youngsters like Uschi Obermaier felt a strong urge to liberate themselves from their parents' strong & strict moral rules. Add to that the new availability of anti-conceptive, greatly helping in experimenting with new lifestyles.
For Uschi's generation, the late Sixties and early Seventies were a time to develop a lifestyle they felt comfortable with. It is the German version of what happened in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood during the same period.
Totally entertaining.
acat137 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Have you ever dreamed of being completely free? Traveling the world, living without rules, and hooking up with anyone you wanted (including celebrities)? Sure, it sounds like the premise for a new MTV reality show. But according to Achim Bornhak's new film "Eight Miles High!," this lifestyle wasn't a fantasy at all for German model Uschi Obermaier, who he portrays as the epitome of this born-to-be-wild brand of freedom.
As the biopic opens, Obermaier rebels against her conservative parents by posing nude and then runs away to become the It Girl of Munich's club scene. There, she meets Rainer Langhans, leader of the controversial politically-motivated commune in Berlin, "Kommune 1", embraces free love, but lacks interest in following her new boyfriend's leftist ideals. Girls just want to have fun, and Obermaier does just that—modeling, touring the country as a Rolling Stones groupie, and traveling the world in a luxury tour bus with her Red Light District bar owner lover. With her freebird lifestyle unlike any other female of her time, Obermaier became an icon and the embodiment of 1968 Germany.
Of course, there can't be all happy endings in a life without guidelines. Natalia Avelon is successful at portraying Obermaier because she doesn't glamorize her one bit—instead, we see how others viewed her, in many cases as not political or smart enough to be the face of a movement. But that's not what she wanted anyway. For this It Girl, the good life was all about sex, drugs and rock n' roll, and "Eight Miles High" makes it all look so beautiful that ultimately you'll find yourself wishing it was still 1968.
Check out genartpulse.com
As the biopic opens, Obermaier rebels against her conservative parents by posing nude and then runs away to become the It Girl of Munich's club scene. There, she meets Rainer Langhans, leader of the controversial politically-motivated commune in Berlin, "Kommune 1", embraces free love, but lacks interest in following her new boyfriend's leftist ideals. Girls just want to have fun, and Obermaier does just that—modeling, touring the country as a Rolling Stones groupie, and traveling the world in a luxury tour bus with her Red Light District bar owner lover. With her freebird lifestyle unlike any other female of her time, Obermaier became an icon and the embodiment of 1968 Germany.
Of course, there can't be all happy endings in a life without guidelines. Natalia Avelon is successful at portraying Obermaier because she doesn't glamorize her one bit—instead, we see how others viewed her, in many cases as not political or smart enough to be the face of a movement. But that's not what she wanted anyway. For this It Girl, the good life was all about sex, drugs and rock n' roll, and "Eight Miles High" makes it all look so beautiful that ultimately you'll find yourself wishing it was still 1968.
Check out genartpulse.com
Underrated
katarzynakordys23 February 2019
Living the life
kosmasp12 May 2021
A woman that dares to want to live life to the fullest. How dare she? Well that is what many people thought back then - some may still think this way today. And the main character here is based on a real life person, as are the people she meets and has "relationships" with. Free love and all that. Back then when life was easy (or so it may seem when you romanticise the past).
Obviously life wasn't easy and once someone tasted something they wanted ... something different? I think especially during the pandemic, many have reached the point of being more than bored. So you can imagine or feel how our Uschi here feels. I have not read her book, but the movie seems to paint quite the detailed picture of her and her adventures. The other actors in this really hold their own and while it could have gone wrong to portray iconic stars as Keith Richards or Mick Jagger, I'd argue the movie did right by them (as far as I can tell).
A drama that evolves and grips you and never gets boring ... with a lot of nudity by the way. In case that bothers or entices you!
Obviously life wasn't easy and once someone tasted something they wanted ... something different? I think especially during the pandemic, many have reached the point of being more than bored. So you can imagine or feel how our Uschi here feels. I have not read her book, but the movie seems to paint quite the detailed picture of her and her adventures. The other actors in this really hold their own and while it could have gone wrong to portray iconic stars as Keith Richards or Mick Jagger, I'd argue the movie did right by them (as far as I can tell).
A drama that evolves and grips you and never gets boring ... with a lot of nudity by the way. In case that bothers or entices you!
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