Review of The Lives of Others (2006) by James F — 04 Jan 2015

Communist East Berlin is the last setting you'd expect for a film to affirm/restore your faith in humanity. Then again, there are few places where an act of goodness would shine brighter. Sporting what may be the most intriguing premise on this list, Dommersmarck's unassertive and character-driven drama takes an affecting look at Stasi Captain Wiesler, who finds himself embroiled in the private lives of an intellectual couple suspected of espionage he has been assigned to spy on.

Ethical and moral dilemmas abound as Wiesler finds himself increasingly torn over the nature of his work. Von Dommersmarck's deep focus sucks you so completely into the story, as he gradually cranks up the tension towards the film's startling climax.

If any film is going to be your first to experience the capability of foreign films, this is it.