Toni Erdmann (2016)
Leave to the Germans to make a comedy unlike anything else. It is the type of humor that shouldn’t work in theory, but how this is played out by the fantastic actors makes it absolute hilarious. What sets this apart is how much more there is to this film than simply awkward situational comedy. It tackles pretty big questions and has high ambitions for its viewers. Personal big questions like what makes you happy, how to stay true to yourself and the importance of humor. It also has something to say about broader societal issues on capitalistic work culture, the expectations of career minded woman and the EU expansion to the east.
It is surprisingly long, though rarely feels like it. There is a meaning behind the dragged out scenes, where we cannot escape the incredible high level of discomfort. And just as I thought I had a good grasp of what the movie was doing, it throws another wide left turn surprise at me. Definitely a movie that grows on you after it is finished.
Rating: 4