Author: Wokalek, Johanna
Brand: JOHANNA WOKALEK
Edition: Standard Version
Item number: 503794
Release date: 04-07-2013
Details: Movieman.de
REVIEW: Based loosely on the book "A Guide to Unhappiness" by psychologist Paul Watzlawick, director Sherry Hormann stages her sobering comedy of the same name. Through her superstitious, neurotic, anxious, and pessimistic single woman with a penchant for drama, she demonstrates how one can stand in the way of one's own happiness. And also what personal happiness depends on. The constant alternation between real everyday life and the escape into obsessive-compulsive daydreams strains the viewer's concentration in many scenes. The dialogues with the long-dead mother are simply too much of a good thing, even if they do contain some comical moments. Iris Berben (Buddenbrooks) is well-received as the affected mother, and Johanna Wokalek (The Popess) is also convincing as a neurotic. Nevertheless, the characters fail to overcome the lack of humor and convoluted script. Conclusion: The cinematic attempt to stage a relationship advice book does not necessarily have to work, which is unfortunately proven by Sherry Hormann's comedy.
Movieman's DVD Commentary: The comedy initially gives the impression of a clean transfer. However, the closer you look, the more noticeable the continuous noise becomes, which persists throughout the entire running time. The colors appear dull and lack the necessary luminosity (0:10:47). The black levels are also minimally transparent and only become noticeable towards the end of the film. Only the toucan can clearly present itself in its black plumage (0:23:50). Since the images are somewhat gloomy overall, the contrast is only mediocre. Especially in the interiors, the diffuse light sources create dark images in which the characters cannot be clearly distinguished from the background (0:35:36). The details appear imprecise and create a very soft impression in most sequences. Certain objects fail to stand out in either Tiffany's apartment or her shop (0:42:07). The entire background reveals shadowy objects that would have to be much more clearly defined to attract the viewer's attention. The sound also reveals some weaknesses. The spatial impression is still relatively satisfactory, as everyday life, especially the activity in the shop and kitchen, is provided with sufficiently authentic background noises. The calls of the toucan and the recurring alarm clock ringing (0:49:59) are also clearly recognizable. The voices are natural and authentic. However, effects are used only sparingly. The music serves as a mood-setting component. The three included interviews are entertaining, but not particularly spectacular. And the trailer doesn't significantly enhance the bonus material either. www.movieman.de
Product description
Based on the global bestseller of the same name by Paul Watzlawick, director Sherry Hormann (Desert Flower) tells a lively romantic comedy full of melancholic undertones with imagination and wit – a star-studded role for Johanna Wokalek. She is joined by other top-class actors: Iris Berben, Richy Müller, David Kross, Michael Gwisdek, and others.
"The German answer to 'Amélie'." (OK)
"Beautiful. A cheerfully captivating ups and downs of hormones." (TV MOVIE)
Tiffany Blechschmid is dreamy, superstitious, and single. Her delicatessen in Berlin's Kreuzberg district is doing very well, yet she believes she's dogged by bad luck. Whether it's the smart police officer Frank courting her or the dreamy photographer Thomas, Tiffany simply always gets in her own way. To make matters worse, her dead mother regularly appears to her and showers her with smart-aleck advice. Will Tiffany ultimately find her path to happiness?
EAN: 4006680061702
Model: 503794
Languages: German
Binding: DVD
Item Condition: New
