"Hangtime - Kein leichtes Spiel" is a German 90-minute movie from 7 years ago directed by Wolfgang Groos and written by Heinrich Hadding and Christian Zübert, probably the most famous name from the filmmaking trio. This movie here even scored some awards attention here and there, but sadly I cannot agree with these bodies that honored "Hangtime". The film's biggest problem is probably lead actor Max Kidd, who did not prove any talent whatsoever here in my opinion. It became painfully obvious as many of his scenes were with the far more talented Misel Maticevic and Kidd just did not stand any chance there whatsoever.
Another major issue is that the film tries to be so much: coming-of-age drama, comedy, family drama, sports movie etc. Unfortunately it tries to be so much that it forgets to elaborate properly in any of these areas. I am also not so sure about the comedy part. It was mostly about one supporting character, an aspiring rap musician, who loses his finger in one scenes. But he called himself Frodo later, so yeah, it's all in good humour. He lost a finger Goddamit!!! Anyway, I personally felt the film had some decent moments, mostly involving Maticevic, but he alone is not enough to carry this film and the disappointing lead performance. The film relies a lot on the prologue when we see a young boy lose his parents in a car crash, but it left me fairly cold I must say, especially in the face of the boy (now a grown-up) turn into a egoistic man, who tries to rob cigarette machines, has violent fights in the streets with other idiots and behaves like a complete ass to his brother, who brought him up basically on his own and sacrificed his career. It is true that you should not rely on likable characters in order to like a film, but obviously the script and acting here in theory had the intention to make him likable and they completely failed. That's why I also did not care too much about the ending and his triumph as an assist giver. Admittedly, the hyperventilating coach was pretty much fun. But all in all, I cannot recommend the watch. Thumbs down.
Another major issue is that the film tries to be so much: coming-of-age drama, comedy, family drama, sports movie etc. Unfortunately it tries to be so much that it forgets to elaborate properly in any of these areas. I am also not so sure about the comedy part. It was mostly about one supporting character, an aspiring rap musician, who loses his finger in one scenes. But he called himself Frodo later, so yeah, it's all in good humour. He lost a finger Goddamit!!! Anyway, I personally felt the film had some decent moments, mostly involving Maticevic, but he alone is not enough to carry this film and the disappointing lead performance. The film relies a lot on the prologue when we see a young boy lose his parents in a car crash, but it left me fairly cold I must say, especially in the face of the boy (now a grown-up) turn into a egoistic man, who tries to rob cigarette machines, has violent fights in the streets with other idiots and behaves like a complete ass to his brother, who brought him up basically on his own and sacrificed his career. It is true that you should not rely on likable characters in order to like a film, but obviously the script and acting here in theory had the intention to make him likable and they completely failed. That's why I also did not care too much about the ending and his triumph as an assist giver. Admittedly, the hyperventilating coach was pretty much fun. But all in all, I cannot recommend the watch. Thumbs down.
