The Lives of Others
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Movie Reviews of The Lives of Others
Movie Review: It Transcends The Genre
Summary: 5 Stars
It also constantly made me wonder, despite its opening "this is fiction" disclaimer, just how much of this is real. It's a spy story set in 1980s East Germany, at the height of the Stasi era, about spying on "the lives of others," hence its title.
The characters were extremely real, and the best stories must unfold from that. We also have loyalty puzzles to solve, a gripping plot, political realism, a fast pace, and just intelligence from the writer and a desire by everyone associated with this film to make something great.
I've just recently learned about downloading movies from Amazon, which would be a major boon if we could do it from outside the US as well. But this is a DVD that was meant to be owned, because you'll want to watch it again. It's a keeper.
Movie Review: a Master Piece
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Lives of the Others" paints an excellent picture of recent German history, when the East German Stasi (secret police) made it their business to know what each and every one of their 17 million citizens was thinking, who was critisizing the Communist Government and worse yet,was considering "Republikflucht" (escape from the Republic), which landed you in jail for years.
More than just providing an excellent historical review, this movie makes it chillingly clear what happens if the government infringes more and more on your rights to free speech and independent thought... which could happen in every country...
Movie Review: Decent translation / dubbing, good topic
Summary: 5 Stars
The Staatssicherheit (Stasi) secret police played a HUGE role in the lives of many people in the former GDR (East Germany), controlling every aspect of their lives. Artists, writers and other "intellectuals" were under strict surveillance and often their friends and lovers were involved in the spying. The film is a good look at how the system worked and how one man had a change of heart.
I saw the German version and wanted my mother to be able to see the film, hence the English-language edition.
Movie Review: Big Brother is Watching You
Summary: 5 Stars
Outstanding. One of the best movies I've ever seen. However, don't think that government surveillance ended when the GDR fell. The creeps running that particular empire just used the methods available to them in their time and place. It's all much more sophisticated and high tech now. Big Brother is watching you -- now more than ever.Movie Review: Thrillingly insightful
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Lives of Others" explores to what extent the East German government used its secret police (Stasi) to spy on citizens, what effect this had on citizens (especially artists), and what effect this had on those who did the spying.
Every part of any citizen's life could potentially be monitored; however, state security was often not the reason. Indeed, monitoring was ordered simply on the mere whim of a party big-whig. For example, the movie shows an artist being spied on because a higher-up covets his wife. In turn, plain old lust brings terrible consequences to everyone involved.
The movie makes very obvious what effect on the citizens this invasion of privacy has. Characters are paranoid, artists' creativity is stifled, and there is much talk throughout the movie about the government's coverup of suicide statitstics.
The main character (a Stasi agent) has all the makings of an efficient, loyal, bureaucrat. Much like Inspector Jovert from Les Miserables, his moral compass always points towards the state's north star. Eventually, though, like Jovert, this devotion takes its toll and the audience sees his cold-hearted legalism start to crack.
Great movie. Well made, good acting, sub-titles aren't too dificult, artfully presented, good music, and does a fantastic job recreating the atmosphere of East Germany circa 1984. Highly recommend.