I was hooked on this movie within ten seconds into the movie. The acting is exceptional and Emmi is a major delight. Barbara, the barmaid, plays the part of a barmaid absolutely believable. I watched this movie on dvd and I rewound many times just to see the scenes over and over.
shareI, too, loved this film...until the last five minutes. A trite, tacky ending that felt very forced and just a little too surprsing for its own good.
I really think Fassbinder could have come up with something better instead of "the same 'ole thing".
Oooh I wanna take you down to Kokomo.share
I considered the ending quite open, "the tiger or the lady." The doctor says Ali will have another stomach ulcer in six months, being another immigrant under stress. Dr. Murray of Australia had to work three decades to show that bacteria, h. helicobacter pylori, causes stomach ulcers, not stress. So, if Ali had been Hippocrates' patient, he would have taken Mastic Gum which a 1998 New England Journal of Medicine article said was more than 99% effective in eliminating that stomach ulcer source (or, he might have taken very expensive presciption medicines and had his life saved in a medically acceptable manner).
shareThe fact that you use this as a criticism of the film proves you don't have an understanding of Fassbinder and his unique use of melodrama.
"Anti-wrinkle cream there may be, but anti-fat-bastard cream there is not."
Agreed, and Barbara's presence and characterization "stole" the film
One the greatest supporting actress performances ever given
seems like there's a love hate with this film. I thought it was fantastic!
shareI just finished watching this film. What struck me at first was its seeming theatricalness -- the bright colors, the lighting, the resigned yet somehow alertness of the secondary characters, especially in the first scene when Emmi walks into the bar. From the very beginning the film plays with the concept of insider/outsider. Everything is contextualized by necessity, as when Emmi walks into the bar because it was raining. She doesn't order what she desires she orders what "people usually order". Yet at the same time there are glimpses of Emmi's transcendence, as when she graciously and politely reacts to instances of meanness and arrogance -- however it could be argued that this is not transcendence but a form of gradually learned resignation. This I think might be part of the gravity of Emmy's character -- she is a product of her society yet she subconsciously or unconsciously understands the limited and constricted nature of that society. That is why her hesitation is complemented with acquiescence. A desire to flee and a desire to remain. It is interesting to look at the roles that the various scenes play within the thematic structure of the film. The bar represents a place that is ostensibly a site of temporary liberation and consolation from the pressures and oppressions of society, but it too takes on oppressive characteristics especially as the one young Arab woman hurls insults at Emmi regarding her age. Despite all of this, there are beacons of hope as the barmaid mentions that recurring concept of jealousy. Jealousy not of Emmi an older woman dating and eventually marrying a young and attractive man, but jealousy rather of the ability of Ali to fully and even naturally come to terms with the tensions of difference and identity, immigrant and native, young and old. Whether or not Ali is as composed as he appears to be is an open question; especially considering hsi ulcer which the doctor reveals to be a consequence of stress, a condition which many a foreigner succumbs too. His laughter at the joke that his coworker tells concerning Emmi the first time but not the second time suggests that Ali has only partially resigned himself to conformity, cultural and otherwise. Bravo Rainer.
shareIt's funny how people react to a simple story with good acting. It's a good film and I enjoyed it but I wouldn't get carried away.
share Ali: Fear Eats the Soul is a straight up masterpiece. I watch it at least once a year since it was released, and it gets better as it ages.
It's tragic that Fassbinder & El Hedi Ben Salem both committed suicide within weeks of each other.
I've met several people who worked with Rainier and read several bios about him. He was a complicated genius, prolific, diabolical, hedonistic and extremely cruel to everyone, especially himself. So much of his work is so utterly brilliant it speaks for itself. Words make no sense. Just watch the movies.
Fassinder's talent was complex & profound as are many of his films. "Ali" is, quite simply, one of the best movies ever made.
Yikes, that's a sad and unusual coincidence.
Great film, such a likeable cast and well-paced, well-shot and well-scored to boot. The racial prejudices Emmil gets from her acquaintances and family throughout the picture is difficult to watch at times, due to her misery, but it's a strong message that all countries and races are prone to such human weaknesses like prejudice against foreigners and adultery.
This is the first Fassbinder I've seen, and I'm about to see 3 more (the 'marriage trilogy', I believe) in German Film class, on this one alone I can call the director a top favorite.
Yippee-ki-yay, pastel-colored resistance!
http://astrolupine.deviantart.com
From the very beginning the film plays with the concept of insider/outsider.Yes it does. That thread runs throughout the entire film. Good post. I think there is jealousy of Emmi for taking a different route to older/widowed women and following desire and interest rather than being eaten alive from fear. It's a great film and Emmi is an extraordinary character.
A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.share
This is a superb film that never falls into lazy sentimentality or cynicism.
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