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The Lives of Others

Worthy Oscar-winner leaves a lasting impression

By Geoff Berkshire, Metromix

March 9, 2007

Critic's Rating:

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"The Lives of Others" creates a rich and involved drama from the period of German history preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall. The engrossing story defies cultural boundaries, which garnered it a surprise win for this year's best foreign language film Oscar (beating the heavily favored "Pan's Labyrinth").

Gerd Wiesler (German stage actor Ulrich Mühe) is a dedicated and respected officer in communist East Berlin's secret Stasi police. He is tasked with spying on the popular playwright Georg (German TV star Sebastian Koch) and his live-in girlfriend, stage actress Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck, "The Good Shepherd"), to determine if the couple has any involvement in anti-government activities. A cold and lonely man who unquestioningly follows orders, Wiesler develops an unexpected curiosity in his subjects that changes all of their lives.

Despite a very foreign setting, "The Lives of Others" remains accessible. First-time filmmaker Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck proves to be a naturally gifted director and screenwriter. He creates characters worth caring about and provides them with secrets and passions that drive the plot in unexpected ways. Although the movie is based on an original screenplay, it plays the way a great novel reads: it's complex but never confusing. All of the performances are strong, but Mühe's especially haunting work stands out. Wiesler is clearly capable of terrible things, but his exposure to the passionate and artistic couple forces him to reevaluate his commitments to the country's oppressive regime.

By watching Wiesler spy on Georg and Christa-Maria, the audience becomes accomplices of a sort to Wiesler's actions, and his personal journey assumes even more importance. That subtle shared connection with the lives of others makes for a truly unforgettable movie.

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