Review of Toni Erdmann (2016) by K Nife C — 11 Jan 2017

While pushing some absurd images and a few endearing gags, "Toni Erdmann" was still lost in translation for the most part. I'll give Maren Ade this, she sure does like to watch her scenes breathe.

Then they maybe take a nap, and then breathe some more. Considering the praise this German-Austrian production has garnered over the film-fest circuit, I was really expecting to be blown away. But for a comedy, it isn't very funny, and for a drama, it isn't very compelling.

You can't say it isn't contemplative though. Concerned more with the character played by Sandra Huller, you see her dealing with being taken serious in the workplace all the while trying to find some sort of joy outside of it.

Her father's alter-ego Toni Erdmann is more of a catalyst to help her live in the moment and find what makes her happy. She facilitates his misadventures, so there is hardly any sense of conflict between the two leads.

Unfortunately, you have to wade through a lot of awkward pauses and milling around to see any sort of arc in the characters, but they get there eventually. As for the humor, it is only as earnestly executed as Erdmann's resolve is in following his gags through.

With a few brief moments of hilarity, I'm still left three hours later wondering what, if anything, have I gained in watching this.