Coming Out Reviews

Interesting in places, but dated

Young (and rather gorgeous) teacher in Germany tries to persuade himself that he's straight by dating and then marrying a female colleague. A chance encounter with a man from his past sets him on a course of self-discovery.

This film is very dated (and that's the 1980s, which is quite shocking really that I'm so old and can actually remember leg warmers and shoulder pads). It has that east-German grimy look to it where everyone is cold. The lead actor is very attractive and a good actor; there's one scene of quite erotic gay sex (not explicit in any way), but the remainder of the gay theme is carried out in a very German (think Cabaret here) style transgender/gay bar. Disappointing, but I did watch it through and enjoyed some parts.

Affecting and believable coming out story

The best thing about this movie is the onscreen chemistry Freihof as Philip has with both Tonja his girlfriend and the boy Mathias who shows him who he really is. I couldn't believe Mathias(who is actually the assistant director) had never acted before. Yes, it's dated but it remains very watchable and I was moved. And it isn't just about sexuality. There's a message of hope to anyone who's different for whatever reason that it's better to accept who you are than to pretend to be what you are not. Using real bars and genuine underground hangouts gives the film an authentic feel. How very apt the Wall came down the night the film premiered!

Not Impressed

Dull, poor quality, german dialogue with subtitles and no english dubbing available, only managed the first half hour before I lost the will to live. Not even much eye candy to take your mind off this crap movie

[Highly rated reviewer]

Coming Out is dated, but a timeless story well told

This film did it for me. It is deliberately stark and uncomfortable and outlines the choice the subject of the film had to make explicitly. I would have liked more colour to be honest, and the scene in the bar with the aged commrade says more about where the film was made and when, but the challenge faced by all gay men, about coming out to themselves, their family, their friends and colleagues remains the same and is well described in this film. In some ways this film charts progress; in others there is some way to go. East Berlin's skyline has changed drastically since 1989 I wonder how much the protaganists story would have?

Not as old as it looks!

The story is beautifully acted, shot and told, especially considering its form a (then) Communist country. Many other reviewers have focused on the age of the film but that doesn't make it any less moving.

Whilst the love story is the central theme the film has a secondary and discrete agenda of highlighting wider discrimination within East Berlin. For example, the racism on the U-Bahn and the small coincidence that it was stopped at the Marx-Engels Platz station ? where the Lead actor also happens to live. The piece at the end, apparently thrown in to keep the Communist censors happy, even works as an ironic and discrete ideological statement, especially when considering the queer bashing that occurs earlier on in the film.

On a lighter note, the love scene and chemistry between the main characters seems genuine and is highly erotic without succumbing to typically badly acted sex scene, which in fact we don?t get to see.

A must see for anybody even slightly interested in love and freedom without the Hollywood factor!

a film of the time and a first

I wanted to give this more stars as the film was great - the extras were good. i loved the leads and this was one of the first gay movies in east Berlin. This is where the film can feel outdated. Things have changed a lot but in many areas people still feel like this about coming to terms with their sexuality. I liked the film but it was very depressing and brought out the loneliness.

No Gloss

I guess this film ultimately aims to handle real issues with as little gloss, and as much harsh reality as possible. As a result, its is a completely 'un-hollywoodised' account of a story I think a lot of people can relate to.

Personally, I found the lead actor amazing, and could feel how torn he was throughout the film. The actor who played his would be 'love interest' I was less impressed with, and he ulitmately got on my nerves.

Its a good film, but there were moments throughout it when I just didnt really understand what point the director was trying to make. Put that down to my lack of artistic ability to appreciate deep meaning and all that, or it could be that it loses something in the translation. The ending also leaves you feeling incredibly dissatisfied. Either that or just depressed. And you kinda wonder, 'what was the point of that?'

One of the best gay films ever made.

I recorded this film many years ago when it was shown on television and have watched it many times since whilest showing it to young gay friends just coming out. I gather it was made by an East German production company with a first-class reputation which folded after the collapse of communism and the loss of subsidy.

I believe it is one of the best gay films ever made. It is brilliantly filmed and the austere East German atmosphere, Brabants and all, enhances the sensitivity and poignancy of the story. The scene towards the end, when the old man in the bar, who was jailed by the Nazis for being gay, tells the young teacher what it means to suffer, intercut with the harsh, hectic, music of a gay club, is inspired movie-making. The scene at the concert will bring tears to your eyes.

This is no ordinary gay film. I recorded it about the same time as 'Lost Language of Cranes'. If you haven't seen that, rent that too. They are both exceptional and not just for gay people.

The lead actor carrys the whole film by himself

Mathias Freihof the lead actor is cute and talented but the other actors don't help much. A bunch of ugly women, drags, old and camp men set in an East Germany 70's cabaret. Coming Out has some boring moments and its soundtrack is awful as it could be (well German songs what would you expect)but it do have some highlights thanks to Freihof's abilities be as an actor or by his charming.

Not bad for its time

As foreign films go it kept my interest.Storyline was good if a little slow. Very dated.