The 2016 film “Toni Erdmann” is a 2.5 hour german comedy/drama (You don’t hear that often), directed by Maren Ade, about a practical joking father who tries to reconnect with his hard working daughter by creating an outrageous alter ego and posing as her CEO’s life coach. That’s a simple surface level synopsis. I’m not sure it’s comedy though actually. I guess if you can look at the tragedy of life as a comedy then you are getting closer. I think everyone will have a different reaction to this movie, like a great piece of art.
This film is just brilliant and really defies definition. It’s political, familial, satirical, honest, absurd, intimate. With such a long running time I kind of lost myself in their world. At times you feel that awkward comedy of The Office. Other times it feels like an after hours HBO series. (be warned, adult content) The people feel and behave like real people. There are no grand speeches. There is just people living their life in the world the we have created for ourselves trying to connect, say good-bye, find pleasure, feel worthy, share love, earn a living, and have a laugh. On some strange level, this like a more in-depth, alternate world depiction of Ms. Doubtfire.
A truly unique, touching, insightful piece of filmmaking for the more adventurous film fans when you’re in the mood.
Open Life Up 