Day 4: Good Bye Lenin!

Day 4: Good Bye Lenin! (2003, Dir. Wolfgang Becker)

Admittedly my knowledge of East German politics of the 1980’s is a bit limited. I was born in 89, the year that the Berlin wall came down so I was certainly around during the time this film was set, and in many ways the life in East Berlin seems so different from that of today it is almost alien. Viewers need not hit the history books before watching this one though; by the effectiveness of the strong narrative, “Good Bye Lenin!” is just enough politics to get you by.

The story uses this time of political change not only as a snap shot of Germany in a time of upheaval but as a comedic backdrop. The complete lack of consumerism is something quite bizarre to comprehend by today’s standards and so jokes about introducing Coca-cola and Burger King into the country work effectively.

Though the heart of the film is that of a conflicted love story; on one hand the blossoming relationship between Alex and Lara, a trainee nurse, and on the other the love between Alex and his mother.

We see the extremes that Alex goes to in an effort to protect his mother’s feelings when she wakes from an 8 month coma, with her son pretending there was never an end to the East Germany’s Communist regime. These scenes prove to be very touching in showing Alex’s love for his mother and very amusing too. Though it is when these comedic white lies turn into complete farce and are juxtaposed with scenes of high emotion that the film unfortunately suffers. However powerful acting prevails and you feel Alex’s plight, it’s not the just the fear of change in he has to deal with but it’s the fear of losing the love of his mother.

So really don’t be put off, don’t think you need an understanding of socialist politics to enjoy the mix of drama, comedy, tragedy and ultimately touching affection to enjoy this beautifully crafted film.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301357/

Extra: Cate wasn’t feeling very well earlier today, so whilst we watched this film we both ate quite a lot of Cookie Dough ice cream!