What Marielle Knows

shookone2.5

the idea of putting a child's experience of the ambiguous world of her parents into this story of magic realism is cute but finds its limits with the classic german execution that's always a little too stuck up; kind of fitting to the stiffness of the protagonists though. the hard headed father in the passive aggressive aura of capitalism, the moralistic mother with a feisty second face, the idea of self censorship, the forced denial of sexuality - there's a couple of good ideas in here, stuck in a small aesthetical corset. that isn't opening up by having Schubert & Beethoven tuning in and inserting a few Lars von Trier biting shots in here.

Patrick W3.5

The Lanthimosization of German cinema starts here

shookone2.5

sweet premise but the film doesn't really know what to do with it. it's a nice thought experiment comedy to tickle a laughter out of you here and there, but that's about it. the script has its small highlights, the possibilities for a more exalting staging aren't given really though. the protagonist remains oddly invisible, which might be part of the concept but only doubles down on the missing charme of the whole film. it's a small film - one that would have been suited for the Perspektive Deutsches Kino when that side category still existed. having films like Zikaden and Hysteria delegated to other sections while making this one here the sole national competition entry is a decision beyond me and another proof how the new team seems to not be very invested in german sensibilities.