Review of Stroszek (1977) by Cheeze B — 03 Sep 2012

To some Werner Herzog is a madman who's films are a batty as he is.

I say that Herzog is one of the great European directors of his time and that his films always come out of left field and never cease to amaze.

At first the story of a street person,his prostitute girlfriend and eccentric next door neighbour moving to America for a better life sounds like a dead end when it comes to telling a story.

In the hands of Herzog though its a powerful and passionate and sometimes very funny drama of everyday people trapped in everday life.

Bruno S plays himself here as the lead Strozek a man with a passion for music but also a passion for beer as well ,his performance is all the more brillant due to the fact Bruno really was a street entertainer who had been in several menatl hospitals before Herzog cast hin in several of his films.

Eva Mattes is also excellent as Eva the call gir with dreams of a better life in America,who leaves Bruno when his drunken ramblings become too much for her.

The final part of the trio is the old man Scheitz who spends his time looking for animal magnetism with a voltmeter .

Herzog shows that The American dream is not all its cracked upto be anf the final 20 minutes of the film are absolutley stunning as Bruno steals a turkey, destroys his vehicle and visits a fair with dancing and piano playing chickens.

As a footnote Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis watched this film before he comitted suicide,which is odd considering that the film doesnt feel downbeat despite the fact our lead is at the end of his tether.

A rich poetic film made by a filmaker with nothing to hide .