Barbara

It's a quiet and subtle approach in a movie that deals with big issues such as political repression and the impact of that in one's work and romantic life, all carried with a beautifully restrained performance by Nina Hoss in the main role.

This is a somewhat sobering film, featuring numerous patients needing treatment in the small hospital the titular character finds herself posted to. Its perhaps a little bland but it isn't entirely dull, just there isn't a whole lot going for it either, so I'm in somewhat of two minds about it. The script is ok and the characters are mildly interesting but its certainly not a gripping watch. Its somewhat thoughtful I suppose. The main character is someone I could feel sorry for and understand her concerns and longing to be elsewhere... I guess its a film about identity really, self identity. This is a domestic drama, with a slightly arty feel to it I suppose. I wouldn't go out of your way to see it but its certainly an alright film in itself, so if it sounds of interest then it may be worth you watching it, yes.

Beautiful. Hopeful. Loved the sexy men who are unwitting rivals (unknown to each other) for this courageous, passionate woman.

This is a terrific movie that works on many different levels.

A very good portrait of life in Eastern Germany. Magnificent performances, supported by a script with the sensitivity and intelligence to reflect the nuances of the historical context and characters.

Petzold and Hoss produce truly inspired works of filmmaking. Hoss is an intense presence: tremendous range, great intelligence, and lovely. Petzold is among the very finest of directors of his time, and is still in his prime. His fluid mix of the intellectual, the visceral, melancholy, and unadulterated reality in his films is rare.

German cinema can brilliant as with Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) and Mädchen in Uniform (1958) but it's far more obscure nowadays and I feel fortunate that I picked up on this relatively unknown little film. It's a very serious movie without feeling pretentious and it never overstates the issues of it's characters which is a pleasant change from Weinstein-era films that focus on similar issues. Even though this is a relatively difficult film to track down I would say that you should seek it out because it's a glorious piece of work that leaves you moved by it's clever script and subtle acting not dramatic histrionics. Pediatric surgeon Barbara, Nina Hoss, lives in a small town in East Germany where she is monitored by the Stasi due to her previous attempts at escape. The quiet and emotionally detached woman forms a connection with fellow surgeon Dr. Andre Reiser, Ronald Zehrfeld, but their relationship is threatened by his role as an informant to the Stasi. A young pregnant girl Stella, Jasna Fritzi Bauer, befriends Barbara while serving as a patient in the hospital and urges Barbara to help her escape East Germany. Barbara is in a relationship with West German Jörg, Mark Waschke, who provides her with the means to escape but her growing reliance on Reiser causes her to stay and let Stella leave instead. The film moves slowly but never feels dull as we get lingering shots of the landscape and the faces of our protagonists as they hint at how they really feel while denying it through their dialogue. Director Christian Petzold feels assured as we watch several small events transpire that add up to an ending that feels sweet and romantic even as Hoss does not give in to theatrics. The plot of the film seems like it wraps up a little too neatly on paper but the film leaves you guessing what Barbara will do until the last moments and yet when she does make her decision it seems logical and in line with what her character would do. Hoss's lead performance is stunning as she plays icy cold and depressed with such restraint and lack of vanity in her portrayal of a woman who genuinely keeps her emotions internal. She conveys so much with small gestures and clipped delivery and even when her character isn't sympathetic Hoss is still magnetic. Zehrfeld lends his character a necessary sweetness and humility that complements Hoss's tough, flinty character and makes their relationship so interesting to watch. Bauer is believably ambitious as the poor young girl who is stuck with a baby on the way and no future prospects but she brings an interiority to the character who would have been a plot contrivance in any other movie. The whole cast works together to show an interesting tapestry of attitudes towards life in East Germany during this time period and this made the film much better than any drama that tries to directly tackle the issue. The cinematographer Hans Fromm manages to capture a landscape that is not traditionally beautiful with a unique eye for small details that give away the beauty that would entice someone to stay in the area. The shots of Jörg and Barbara's love scenes were fantastic as we see them embrace and then devour each other ravenously in a wide shot before getting a more intimate close up after they have finished. This sort of restraint and subtle movement was what caused the film to be an emotionally moving experience. I think that Fromm and many other elements of the film deserved recognition from the Academy but of course they chose to reward Argo (2012) and Les Miserables (2012) instead. I would definitely recommend this film to people because they most likely have not heard of it and because I think it is an underrated gem. If you want to watch some great foreign cinema of the 21st century this would be a film that I would recommend as it is accessible but still artistic in how it presents it's various ideas and concerns fully rounded, complex characters played by actors who clearly understand the interior lives of the people they play and bring to life an interesting story.

Hass--surveilled, harassed, restrained, tender--illustrates the potency of her defiance as she weighs the unconditioned nature of individual freedom with relative freedom--constrained but absolute in its affirmation of the ubiquitous nature of human suffering, of human solidarity.

Really enjoyed this quiet drama.

Slow and quiet but rather too ponderous.