The Lives of Others
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Movie Reviews of The Lives of Others
Movie Review: A Great Choice for Viewing in a Faith-and-Film Discussion Group
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this film, even though it is a dark tale set in the Communist era in East Germany and, before it ends, there's enough tragedy that unfolds to sink even optimistic spirits.
What makes this a memorable movie is the larger theme that it works toward, in the end, as a top East German spy sets out to destroy a young couple of pro-democracy activists and their friends.
The spy sets himself up high in the attic of their apartment house and becomes an obsessive voyeur -- an image of evil that was true to the history of the era, but nevertheless makes one's skin crawl as we watch the spy feeding off the couple's life together.
What happens, though, is that goodness does slowly and patiently work on even the hardest heart.
The movie is R-rated, so it may not be an ideal choice for some faith-and-film discussion groups. Preview the film before you use it, if you have concerns about the content.
Movie Review: Awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
I had heard that "The Lives of Others" was an excellent movie but, then, someone once told me the same thing about "Porkie's". The plot sounded impressive and I got all that and more. This is a movie about the paranoia of totalitarianism (in the form of East Germany) and the lessons to learn from taking our freedom for granted is reason enough to see this film. However, there is a greater message (cinematicly speaking of course. After all, what's greater than the US Constitution?). The message that I took away was the ability of one man to make a difference even in the worst of conditions. While we focus on the spying, eavesdropping, and intimidation by the State, one man finds the courage to question the purpose of what he's doing. It doesn't change everything but it changes somethings and that, to me, is the real point of "The Lives of Others". I could elaborate at length on this but I'll keep it short. The ending works into one of the greatest personal messages I've ever seen delivered and it took me totally by surprize.
I'm as guilty as most reviewers are in giving out "5 Star" ratings. I try to save them for movies and books that I thing are truly outstanding. In doing so, there are rare occassions that I wish I could award "6 Stars" for those few works of art that exceed the mantle of "Great". "The Lives of Others" would be one of the few recipients upon which I would bestow such a rating.
Movie Review: a big thumbs up...with a suggestion
Summary: 5 Stars
There are already humdreds of excellent reviews on this film so I am not
going to repeat what has been so well said. Life in the East Bloc was
awful and this superb film shows that.
But the United States also had its block one that should be called
The Latin Bloc.
If you can play REGION 2 discs go to Amazon UK and buy
John Pilger's brilliant documentary THE WAR ON DEMOCRACY.
It will open your eyes, though not flawless (what is?) the film will
enable you to see through the corporate-state propaganda that we all
live with.
HSM Manchester UK
Movie Review: Watch movie again for director's commentary
Summary: 5 Stars
Fabulous movie-famous German movie stars worked at a fraction of their normal fees. Massive amount of research behind it--see Special Features.Movie Review: Excellent insights
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie provides a glimpse of the terrible moral compromises and outcomes of a secret police state. I did not feel it was biased, just accurate.