 | edt4 (110)
07/29/2008 | Somewhat reminiscent of Coppola's "The Conversation", "The Lives of Others" bases its narrative on the eavesdropping activites of the Stasi, East Germany's secret police. Ulrike Muhe plays a lead interrogator whose personal life, in contrast to those he voyeuristically monitors, is barren and sterile. He's superb; subtle and intense in conveying the character's burgeoning sense of dissatisfaction and yearning for a fulfillment he's never experienced. For a film with little "action", the proceedings are engrossing from beginning to end, and it's a peerless cautionary tale about the excesses of intrusive, repressive governments, and those fallible human beings who make such excesses possible.
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 1 agree) |
 | CanadaSucks (50)
07/01/2008 | 'The Lives of Others' is simply perfect. If you want a 'foreign' film to impress a date but want something you can digest, pick this one. Great cold-war material if you're into contemporary/20th century history. Great stuff- I mean it.
(4 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | SilverFox (31)
05/03/2007 | The Academy got it right in awarding this the 2006 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. It's wonderfully done. Great acting, direction, and story. Wholly absorbing; kept me on the edge of my seat. Such a bittersweet, unforgettable ending. This is one you've got to see. It's on my all-time favorites list.
In German with English subtitles.
(6 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
