The Lives Of Others

The Lives Of Others (Das Leben des Anderen) is actually a German Movie with English subtitles. I had heard lot of good things about the movie (apparently our very own Shahrukh Khan wanted to produce a movie similar to this one ) and it actually holds 8.5 rating at IMDB. It also won the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Movie.

And Does the Movie deliver, It does.

It is a beautiful film about the power and frailty of life and love. Set in East Germany about 5 or 6 years before the fall of the Berlin wall, it is the setting for a story that is at once both a chilling reminder of the depths to which unchecked governmental power can sink and at the same time a beacon of hope that humanity cannot be totally crushed even in the most repressive regimes.

Ulrich Mühe plays Hauptmann, a cold ruthlessly efficient Stasi (the East German secret police, an Orwellian organization if ever there was one) agent assigned to monitor Georg Dreyman, a prominent playwright who is suspected of harbouring anti-government sentiments. Hauptmann sets about prying into every aspect of Dreyman's life looking for dirt, but initially there isn't really very much to find. However, as he continues to devote his life to watching Dreyman's he begins to be drawn in by the life and love of Dreyman and his wife (Martina Gedeck), a well-known actress who is the one actually hiding some secrets.

Mühe plays his role of a man gradually earning his redemption brilliantly, allowing his human compassion to show itself little by little, odd and disturbing at times and genuinely moving at others. Primarily its a story one man's inner struggle with himself and his duty to his country...but as the decisions he has to make become progressively complex throughout the movie, the more of the inner struggle takes over him until he is forced to make some hard decisions that will end the lives of others. Ultimately, although Muhe is the hunter and Dreyman the prey, you begin to realize in a sense that both are victims of a brutal, inhumane system. Overall, This is a phenomenal piece of film-making. A rare gem and a must see for anyone has interest in serious dramas. One of the best films you will ever see.. it truly leaves an impact. The music, the story, the acting will keep you glued every minute till the final resolution. Highly recommended.

Rating :

* * * *