Review of The Lives of Others (2006) by Gregory G — 03 Sep 2011
"The Lives of Others" from Germany is a terrific, suspenseful drama that immerses us inside East Berlin in the 80s when the socialist government controls people's lives with surveillance.
A popular playwright and his actress girlfriend are suspected by a government leader of dissent so he orders them under surveillance. The state run Stasi police wiretap their home and listen in on their conversations to see if they can uncover information of a resistance movement.
The movie is superbly crafted by Florian Henckel-Donnersmarck that takes us inside an Orwellian-type society where individuality and freedom of speech are suppressed. Artists are encouraged to create art that endorses nationalism and those who rebel are fearful to speak out.
"The Lives of Others" is always compelling as it conveys a mood of paranoia. It builds to a tragic ending as the surveillance leader changes his perspective on his job and the people he spies on.
It has parallels to "The Conversation" without the aural innovation Coppola's movie had. In German with English subtitles.
This review of The Lives of Others (2006) was written by Gregory G on 03 Sep 2011.
The Lives of Others has generally received very positive reviews.
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