In July [Im Juli]
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Movie Reviews of In July [Im Juli]
Movie Review: Road movie . . .
Summary: 4 Stars
Turkish-German director Fatih Akin says he was inspired by Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" when he made this film, which is fair enough, but Hollywood road movies like "It Happened One Night" more easily come to mind as you watch this unlikely story of quarreling travel companions destined to fall in love. And this is the flip side of two pretty heavy coins - Akin, who is better known for his "Head-On" about the desperate lives of Turks in Germany, and German cinema itself, not often known for light-hearted romantic comedy. Yet, most of the time it works. It's sexy, funny, and fairly full of surprises, as our callow young hero, who after a one-night unconsummated tryst with a stranger, follows her from Hamburg to Istanbul. And tagging along is the more adventurous girl truly smitten with him (opposites in this case attracting true to formula).
Suspension of disbelief is in order from beginning to end, but most of the time you say "what the heck" and go along with it. It's classic, as Akin says in an interview. The hero must go on a quest to kill a monster, which in this case is within himself - his own timidity and suppressed emotions. A movie that's really more for the young at heart, it's probably a little too tame for real 20-somethings.
Movie Review: Deserves more credit than many would give it...
Summary: 4 Stars
I first saw Im Juli (In July) my first month living in Germany, and it has been one of my favorites ever since. It is a light-hearted lark of a film, meant to replicate and expand on the contrivances of the Hollywood romantic road film. And director Faith Akin brings to the genre his own (distinctly European) sense of humor and whimsy.
Moritiz Bleibtreu and Christiane Paul as the film's leads are delightful - they play off each other with an easy chemistry and create winning characters for whom you cheer. The supporting characters are equally as likeable and altogether unusual for a romantic comedy, the difference that sets Im Juli (In July) apart from it's Hollywood counterparts.
If you're looking for a fun film and don't expect cinematic genious, Im Juli (In July) will satisfy your inner ham quite nicely. Considering the decidedly heavier offerings from Germany (Europe Europe, Wings of Desire, Big Girls Don't Cry, anything by Fassbinder), Im Juli (In July) is a treat. Along with Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, The Princess and the Warrior), Faith Akin is one of Germany's most delightful and innovative directors.
Movie Review: Leaves you feeling good.
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm giving this movie 4 stars for two basic reasons. First, the adventures of the characters trying to get to Turkey seem a little too drastic. It's hard to imagine someone being robbed of everything and still being able to complete the journey. Second, some of the plot points seem a bit abrupt, especially the resolution of all the storylines at the end. It has a happy ending, but it seems like it all falls in place within 2 minutes. Those two things being said, I did like the movie. There is a little rough language and a few light drug scenes, but nothing raunchy. The storyline is interesting, has a somewhat surprise ending, and is somewhat edgy. While I wouldn't say it's the best movie I've ever seen, it did leave me with a good feeling all in all.Movie Review: A truly charming modern romantic comedy
Summary: 4 Stars
Fatih Akin is one of the best and brightest directorial voices working in Europe today, and while this early film isn't quite as strong as his more recent masterpieces, it's still a sweet, funny and worthwhile love story. On the surface it's a very familiar romantic comedy plot - the misadventures of guy searching for girl he thinks he loves, while missing the fact that the perfect girl is right beside him. But it's so charming, with a fun, playful, inventive cinematic style, a great soundtrack, and terrific supporting characters that it's easy to forgive any clichés and a few moments of overacting. A film that will make you smile.Movie Review: And that's a roundup from the 2.5 stars I'd give if I could
Summary: 3 Stars
Let's see...
Characters: wow... next to no development here at all, and VERY hard to believe. Daniel, a straight-laced, risk-aversive teacher who in only a few days is transformed into a car-stealing, dope-smoking, free-wheeling and carefree dude, who'll do it all for... love! Yeah... right. Juli (named after the German name for the month of July), a supposed free-spirited, worldly gal with hippy braids, and anything-goes mentality who just HAPPENS to fall in love with this guy named Daniel, and comes across as almost virginal, being inexperienced at spooning, despite having hitch-hiked across LARGE parts of Europe with strangers. Geez...
Plot: I really wanted to like this movie, and it was better than "Sleepless in Seattle" but only marginally. Plot was WAY predictable (it was like a PG-13 version of "Something Wild" with Melanie Griffith). I tend to like European movies a bit more than the normal "Hollyweed" products in the states, but this one seemed to aspire to and happily achieve all the cliches that "Hollyweed" seems to revel in.
Acting: VERY cardboard-like defined characters, and acting to aptly suit those characters. Bleibtrau is capable of much more, so it was kind of disappointing to see him so underutilized here.
All in all, not a terrible movie, but it just seemed WAY too predictable and uninspired. No boundaries pushed here, and if you like your movies that way, then you'll probably like this as well.