Winter Sleepers
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Movie Reviews of Winter Sleepers
Movie Review: Twists of fate
Summary: 4 Stars
Before Tom Tykwer created international hit "Run Lola Run" (or "Lola Rennt"), he created the ponderous "Winter Sleepers" (or "Winterschläfer"). Like Tykwer's later films, this one deals with fate, destiny, death, and love. It's an interesting execution, with a flawed climax and the occasional question of "where is this going?"Laura (Marie-Lou Sellem) arrives at her little country cottage, where her pretty friend Rebecca (Floriane Daniel) lives. Things are complicated after the first evening: while handsome but loutish Marco (Heino Ferch) is in bed with Rebecca, a strange man (Ulrich Matthes) wanders over and takes Marco's car. But when he is driving, he causes an accident that puts a child in a life-threatening coma.
The child's father (Josef Bierbichler), stricken with grief, goes on the hunt for the man who accidently killed his daughter. That man, Rene, is now in love with Laura, but can't remember anything about the accident. Rene is also inadvertantly causing cracks in Laura and Marco's fragile, tempestuous relationship. One person will die -- two will find happiness -- and one will find freedom.
"Winter Sleepers" has a lot of the same themes and feel of Tykwer's later films, but more unpolished and loosely knit together. Though we know the fates of all these people are interconnected, much of the screen time is devoted to Laura and Rene's blossoming romance, or Marco and Rebecca's deteriorating one, and not to the central theme of the movie.
The cinematography is breathtaking, with a lot of Tykwer's signatures like a camera panning in a complete circle around Rene, and a character death never being shown except by a thud and darkness. As he often does, Tykwer filmed many scenes in a portentous manner, as if every tiny event could start off something important. Perhaps the biggest problem is the conclusion. While beautifully filmed, it seems out-of-character and a bit of an easy way out, as if Tykwer wasn't entirely sure how to end the various interconnected storylines.
One thing that Tykwer does well is give humanity in subtle ways to the characters, even the stupid, cheating Marco, who is genuinely miserable and guilt-stricken after his girlfriend falls off a ledge. Matthes is instantly sympathetic as the sensitive, memory-impaired Rene. Daniel and Sellem are quite nice in their roles as, respectively, the sexpot and the quiet wannabe-actress nurse.
"Winter Sleepers" lacks the tightness and focus of Tykwer's later films, though his good directing style is still present. However, those looking for an interesting philosophical drama/romance might want to check it out.
Movie Review: Tom Tykwer Fans - Don't Miss This One!
Summary: 4 Stars
The creator of 'Run Lola Run' has more goodies in his bag with this tale of intertwined lines of fate. The story was engaging and the gritty european sensibility, once again, a refreshing respite from the slickness of most major Hollywood productions. It reminded me a little of Andy Warhol's 'Bad' - as it's not so much a story about anything in particular as much as it's a story about what happen's to the characters as they go about their lives and some rather difficult stuff happens. Again - I love Tom T's work - it's very well crafted, everything in it is obviously very considered yet plays quite naturally. The suspension of disbelief is easy and there's always something about the characters that gives you a fresh perspective about life and people to consider.
The picture on the cover is somewhat misdirecting - the scene from which it is taken is actually not a comfortable, cozy time for lovers.
When it was all over, I was kind of hoping that this was just episode 1 of 10 - the story and the same - or different - people could have gone on for much longer and still maintained my interest. But that's what a Tom Tykwer movie does for you.
PS: T.T.s 'The Princess And The Warrior' is another AMAZING movie, slicker and newer than 'Winter Sleepers' but more good stuff from this great director.
Movie Review: beautifully done
Summary: 4 Stars
a great looking film about characters whose lives keep affecting eachother in ways that they themselves seem to be oblivious to. a film about twists of fate, winter sleepers is at parts slow and probably too clever at times for its own good, but none of this really matters. the film is hauntingly beautiful to look at, with amazing scenery, music , and atmosphere. great performances as well. just a well done, pretty film that deserves way more attention than it has received.Movie Review: My Least Favorite Tykwer Film...and I'm a HUGE fan.
Summary: 3 Stars
I don't know what it was, perhaps the copy I saw was horrible, it was a VHS and it looked horrible, even though it was an original it looked like a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy. But this has to be my least favorite of his films. The shots were boring, the story was slow, and I suppose I was comparing it to much to "Run Lola Run" with all it's flare and beautiful color.But by the time it ended, the story captured me. The ending (which I'll try not to give away too much) was great. I heard this was one of hte films that inspired Memento. Tykwer sure knows how ti find those intricite stories and bring them home.
SO if you love his work, you must watch, but make sure you have a DVD copy. If you didn't love "Princess and hte Warrior" you won't like this, if you are expecting another "Run Lola Run" I suggest you run the other way.
Movie Review: Don't expect Run Lola Run
Summary: 3 Stars
Something tells me I have no clue what I'm talking about when it comes to this movie. Still, the only reason I rented it was because it's by the director of Run Lola Run which was an incredible movie. And it simply didn't deliver. If you want more of the same, wait for Princess and Warrior - or maybe for Bourne Identity with Franka Potente coming out in May 2002. The sheer obsessiveness with coincidences displayed in this movie is tiring. It may be pretty... but it's not entertaining.