The Good German (2006)
An attempt at a modern noir, Steven Soderbergh directed the black-and-white drama The Good German. Filmed entirely in black-and-white, it should have felt like an authentic post-war movie; but without the stylization of how 1940s movies were made, directed, and acted, it just felt like a modern movie that happened to be in black-and-white. No one attempted to speak or move the way old movie stars spoke and moved, which begged the question: why make this movie a period piece? Why not make a modern movie where George Clooney gets to sound off about his political views and Cate Blanchett gets to try out another accent? No one wants to see Tobey Maguire as a bad guy, so why was this movie made?
Cate Blanchett’s accent, as always, is very good; and it’s an especially fun treat to hear her actually talking in the difficult German language. The plot itself isn’t very compelling, and it’s fairly predictable, despite the attempts to confuse audiences with flashbacks and high-level political discussion. Cate plays a former prostitute, now “taken care of” by her boyfriend, Tobey Maguire. Tobey has a very dark side (so why cast the normally sweet actor in the first place?) but he seems friendly and well-adjusted to a new soldier assigned to post-war reconstruction in Berlin, George Clooney. But when it turns out George and Cate have a past together, mysteries unfold amidst danger and treachery. If you really like the cast and want to watch this movie, give it a shot and see if you like it. As someone who loves old movies, I really wasn’t impressed.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes and violence, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Cate Blanchett movies here!
Cate Blanchett’s accent, as always, is very good; and it’s an especially fun treat to hear her actually talking in the difficult German language. The plot itself isn’t very compelling, and it’s fairly predictable, despite the attempts to confuse audiences with flashbacks and high-level political discussion. Cate plays a former prostitute, now “taken care of” by her boyfriend, Tobey Maguire. Tobey has a very dark side (so why cast the normally sweet actor in the first place?) but he seems friendly and well-adjusted to a new soldier assigned to post-war reconstruction in Berlin, George Clooney. But when it turns out George and Cate have a past together, mysteries unfold amidst danger and treachery. If you really like the cast and want to watch this movie, give it a shot and see if you like it. As someone who loves old movies, I really wasn’t impressed.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes and violence, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Cate Blanchett movies here!