The Edukators Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

The Edukators

A German comedy (no, really) about three young anti-globalisation activists (Bruhl, Jentsch and Erceg) whose MO is to break into the houses of rich people, not take anything but move everything around, leave, and leave a note along the lines of 'Your days of plenty are numbered'). On one such expedition their target (Klaußner) arrives home and they, having knocked him out and been seen, take him hostage. The four leads are practically the only people in the film and their relationships are complex and often funny. Jule (Jentsch) is an object of affection for both Jan and Peter (Bruhl and Erceg respectively) and the film develops her relationship with Bruhl in a particularly charming seies of scenes which means you can't help rooting for them. But it is their relationship to Hardenberg (Klaußner) that is the film's most interesting, changing slowly from Hardenberg's fear of them (and their fear of what they've got into) to a grudging respect and, hillariously, Hardenberg's almost fatherly regard for them by the end. This is a comedy and laughs come thick and fast from not just the dialogue but visuals and even a few wry and well placed camera moves. The second half of The Edukators is unquestionably better than its relatively slow opening, which takes some time in getting Jan, Jule and Peter into their predicament. But it is the last few scenes that truly make the film. A stunning, funny, montage, set to Jeff Buckley's heartbreaking rendition of Hallelujah is a true standout moment. That whole sequence will have you emotionally torn as it's hard to hear that song and not want to cry but what is on screen will often be making you laugh, it's a wonderful juxtaposition. The final scene of the film steals a key moment of The Silence of the Lambs to brilliant effect (no, nobody is 'having an old friend for dinner') and will have the audience laughing and cheering as the credits roll. Unless you really loathe subtitles (and aren't German) you could do a lot worse than this fun, witty, exciting film for a Friday night in with friends.

Original, stimulating, gripping.

One of the most original films to appear on the scene this year. A strong plot that doesn't disappoint like many films these days. This is truly a great film, if you enjoy world cinema then this is definately unmissable!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Not as good as it thinks it is

German film about three student types who decide to bring revolution to the rich by invading their houses and re-arranging furniture. It's a little bit more complicated than that and has some good ideas about what it wants to say, before it crumbles a bit under its own sense of importance as it swayed from interesting social commentary to ill-advised Hollywood style thriller. Although the film had a couple of good points it wasn't as good, clever or subversive as it thought it was and in the end played out like what a middle class student's idea of subversion is, or that's how it felt to me. I listened to Bill Hicks' Rant In E-Minor right after this which sounded two or three times as fresh, relevant and funny even though it's material that's over ten years older than this. Nice try, but it wasn't on the edge like it wanted to be.

Great youth movie for expats and Brits alike

Story aside (which we thoroughly enjoyed) this is great little movie to juxtapose German and British youth experience. The politics are indeed a great part of German youth exp, the WG experience - living together as a project in life rather than a necessity - is a lot more than Brit student houses and not all WGs are communes. The experience of renting and being kicked out is everyday for Germans where 90% rent and find it totally normal. Wonderful 'Altbau' buildings with appartments that put modern British developments to shame. 1968 really has meant a lot to German society and it is so funny to see the 2005 anti-global protesters confront a 1968 veteran. Hardenberg's generation was either pro or anti 1968 and he has a surprising physical resemblance to Joschka Fischer, the landmark protester-turned politician. You really do find German students can cook (boys and girls) and they often like doing so. And you really do find a lot of German youths to be mildly depressed and violently opposed to anything looking like a BMW. I suppose the cottage is overlooking Tegernsee in the alps, again, that IS what German youngsters often do. Not all of them, maybe not even the majority of them, but student life very often has this element of talking/chatting around a table and playing cards. This movie is soooooo German in style and substance. Very entertaining and the very reason I hate TV licence fees - it is this sort of stuff they should be showing on prime time television. This would do so much more for intercultural respect than whatever is on the Bleeb these days.

top movie

this is one of the best movies of the year. serious but funny, and a terrific ending. the acting is good, the characters are well formed and overall its different

Savy

Savy, edgy and draws lovelingly upon european mystique.

With clever writing and a real great plot.

You must see this film it's really good.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Best movie I Have seen in a while

This film does not scream it's political views at you but challanges you to decide your own.

All the cast are superb and at no point did I get bored or 'have to get up for drinks'.

Kept me gripped from beginning to end and was as clever at the end as it was at the beginning.

Infact I wondered how they was going to end such a fantastic film, I couldn't have dreamed a more genius or satisfying one.

A film diffirent from the rest. Was it made by youths or elders? left or right wing? One to watch.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Moving up the rankings

I won'r repeat what other reviewers have said already but would like to tell some viewers who find the start somewhat slow to stick with it as the film improves considerably once the 'victim' enters the scene and yes, I agree that the ending is superb. What started of as a 3 star film moved up the rankings as time went on but I have to say it would never have registered as a comedy in my books. Unfortunately the DVD has no bonus features whatsoever - apart from the theatrical trailer.

the joys of youth

I found this movie very easy to watch and enjoyed the bohemian characters playing out the sort of fantasies any politicaly switched on youth would get a kick out of.This movie has a feelgood quality but also had a fair amount of originality and got me thinking about the man once more.

A very good effort.

great film

Loved this film - ignore the negative reviews - the points being made in the film may not be new but they remain important. I agree thats it's odd to describe it as comedy! It was tense with a twisting plot and some good performances. Nice to see some good German movies.