Dreyman

Any thoughts on Dreyman? He was willing to work within the system and avoid criticizing it. He became a successful artist by playing by these rules. He even tried to steer his less restrained artistic friends away from public comments that would hurt their careers. When he finally broke, it wasn’t over his own treatment, but because of what had happened to his close friend. (The Minister of Culture blackmailing his girlfriend for sex didn’t help either.)

The ending

How did you feel about the ending? I found it completely satisfying and terribly moving. (OK, so I liked the movie a lot.) But others have found it too maudlin. Did it strike the right balance for you?

Change of heart

Did you find Wiesler’s change of heart convincing? Do you think his actions were believable in light of his position and who he was?

Ulrich Mühe

I thought Ulrich Mühe was absolutely stunning as Captain Wiesler. His performance was so subtle. Everything was conveyed with a raising of an eyebrow, the tilt of his head, the tightening of his forehead. And he takes the audience right along with him with these signals.

Interestingly, Mühe discovered in his own Stasi file after the German reunification that his second wife had been informing on him. He said his experience was helpful in preparing for this role.

Mühe died in July of stomach cancer.

Characters

I thought the characters were drawn rather brilliantly. I loved that Wiesler, for example, turns out to be more than the stereotypical robotic Party tool that he at first seems.

I also loved that you were never exactly sure what any given character was going to do at any moment. In the New York Times review, the writer said the movie reminds us that even in an oppressive state, humans are still burdened with free will. The characters again and again faced monumental decisions, and I was never positive about which way they were going to go. The characters felt very real and human to me, and I cared very much about each of them.

"The Lives of Others"

Well, what did you think? Any general thoughts to share?

Did you enjoy the story? The pacing? What stood out to you?

Next pick

I have been wanting to see "The Lives of Others" for some time now, and it's finally out on DVD.

East German political oppression, spying, romance, compassion ... Enjoy!