Review of Stroszek (1977) by Simon P — 17 Jan 2012
Having enjoyed working with Bruno S. on The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974), Werner Herzog quickly knocked out the script for this film in a mere 4 days, done with Bruno S. in mind. It would take Herzog and Co.
to America, with this bleak look on the dark side of the American Dream. Bruno Stroszek (Bruno S.) is released from prison in Berlin on an alcohol charge. Out in the world, and down on his luck, he befriends prostitute Eva (Eva Mattes) and her elderly neighbour Mr.
Scheitz (Clemens Scheitz). Turns out Scheitz has been saving money to go to America to live with his nephew Clayton (Clayton Szalpinski), who lives out at Railroad Flats, Wisconsin. They sail to New York, and buy a cheap car, and drive to Railroad Flats.
Bruno gets a job working with Clayton in his garage, and he and Eva get a mobile home together, and settle down in the American Dream, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Eva runs away with two truckers heading for Vancouver, and Bruno is back on the booze and his mobile home is repossessed by the bank, so he and Mr.
Scheitz take matters into their own hands. It's a very offbeat look at America though the eyes of Herzog, he highlights the quirkiness of the Land of the Free. Bruno S. gives a tortured, heartbreaking performance, but it's a very bleak film indeed.
You can see why Ian Curtis hung himself after allegedly watching this.
This review of Stroszek (1977) was written by Simon P on 17 Jan 2012.
Stroszek has generally received very positive reviews.
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