MovieChat Forums > The Good German (2007) Discussion > Desireable, but disappointing

Desireable, but disappointing

posted 16 years ago by davemc-1
10 replies | jump to latest

I found the movie disappointing overall-- very uneven in places. I liked the B& W format, although the white leached out the visual depth of some scenes.
It seemed every 5 minutes the Cloony character was getting rapped on the head, face or neck and every 2 minutes Cloony was throwing down another cigarette.
The tension of several occupying gov't powers being so close in proximity was not a component in the development of the movie. While I thought Blanchette did well, she never really gripped my interest. Comparisons with CASABLANCA should not be made-- THE GOOD GERMAN was slack, and unengaging.

[–] tennismenace 16 years ago

Agree on everything you said.

- The Truth is Out There, and I found it in Christ!

[–] nyntv 16 years ago

Davemc-1 - your statement nailed it. I'd like to add Toby McGuire was badlyl miscast. There is no way in any film he can pull off a tough-as nails, bad-a$$ character. It doesn't work, he's way too bland to pull off that kind of depth. My husband and I were rather pleased his character was eliminated fairly early, though it still did nothing to boost the film.

Cate Blanchett is always a joy to watch and for what she had to work with, I feel as though she pulled it off. I'll be watching Casablanca tomorrow evening just to sort me out. This movie left me wanting something of much more substance.

[–] cooperonline 16 years ago

I have a strange obsession with this movie now. I was expecting the worst after it was basically shelved by the studio following the critical pans, and the first time I saw it I agreed with the consensus. This will seem like an unlikely proposition for those who don't like the film, but if you are a Soderbergh fan like I am, I would encourage you to watch it a few times. I thought at first that the juxtaposition of elements from studio period to modern was like a stunt that went awry - like Cate Blanchett was acting in a different movie from Clooney, and that the melodramtic score just didn't work. I'm too inarticulate to fully explain it here, but this movie really clicks for me now in an incredible way. I thinks it's possible that years from now it will be appreciated by at least some film fans. Everyone is upset about the sort of inverted homage to 'Casablanca,' but the underlying tone reminds me much more of 'The Last Picture Show.' Even the casting of McGuire, whose performance irritated me to no end at first, really seems to work now that I've seen it a few times. I really think there is a thought out point to everything that everyone is objecting to, even the overexposed daylight shots,etc. I realize you can get it and still not like it, but I've really come around. I'm not an apologist for Soderbergh by any means.

If there is every anyone who feels the same way I do about 'The Good German, I wouldn't mind having a thread to break the film down in greater detail.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] clmarch 16 years ago

I am glad to see another fan of The Good German. It isn't a film for the "uninformed". It wasn't a tribute, entirely, to Casablanca. Rather, it was a homage to the Film Noir movies of Post-World War II which made comments on the mood of the American people at the time.

George Clooney never makes a movie "by mistake". Every project he does makes a statement. Here, it is quite obvious that he wishes to point out the naivety of the American Citizen as a product of the American Government, particularly in times of war.

The style of the movie, it's Film Noir setting, is a very important part of understanding the film. The graininess of the picture, the stark contrast between light and dark, the shadows, the "guesswork" that comes with the visuals-- all of it purposefully done in order to represent confusion, the notions of good and evil, secrets, and vagueness that the actions of a government at war bring about.

As someone brought up in one of the reviews, McGuire was a perfect choice for the role of the black marketeer. His innocuous previous roles contrast starkly with this one. He is a representative of the America we all convince ourselves to believe in. His performance here is a sullying of that pure and innocent all-American boy. His character is a representation of what a country is capable of during times of war.

As both a political statement and an entertaining film, The Good German hs to be taken in context of the time in which it was made. Any film with something to say must be looked at from a historical perspective.

There is so much to say about this film. I hope this post aids others in taking another, deeper look into the movies merits.

[–] ktowny 13 years ago

When I saw Clooney's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind I thought he should do a straight up spy movie based on the cold war so when I heard about this movie I was really looking forward to it.

Upon first viewing I wasn't blown away and a bit disappointed. It had all the elements of a classic. Black and white, noir, the score, the ambiguity of the beginning of the cold war and the underground aspects resulting from a decimated country. Upon subsequent viewings, I did enjoy it a bit more each time. I think I had such high expectations that they couldn't be met. I'd suggest people give it another chance. Granted, its not a classic, but its better than most of what's out there.

Love's turned to lust and blood's turned to dust in my heart.

[–] Ironman54 8 years ago

Ditto.

[–] GerFalcon 16 years ago

I agree, it's not that Tobey was out of place or Cate couldn't convince, it's just that I got this feeling that the whole thing sucked and couldn't live up to the expectations I had about this film. In fact I admit I had to abort it halfway, which I do not often, it has quality, that's for sure, but it failed to convince me. It had to make room for a film with more impact on the viewer, me in this case, I'm sorry.

[–] iwilson-5 16 years ago

I read the book and looked forward to the film. whilst you expect big changes and cuts the film had very little relevance to the book and even tho i have read the book i couldn't follow the plot at all.

Taken separately from the book the film is all style, admittedly good style, and no substance. The casting was poor with the possible exception of clooney and i found it impossible to really engage at all.

i watched it last night and still feel a little cheated by soderbergh's vision of what is a terrific book.

[–] clmarch 13 years ago

I film is NOT a book.

See my above comment for an explanation of the film.