Classics Review: The Lives of Others

The Lives of Others is a 2006 drama film written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. It stars Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch. Ulrich Mühe plays Hartmann Gerd Wiesler, a Stasi agent given the task of monitoring an East German family who the Stasi believe are against the state. However, as Wiesler discovers corruption at the highest ranks of the government, he begins to question the people he works for and his own moral code.

Pre-reunification German politics are a pretty well-explored theme in German cinema, but usually it's done in a more comedic way (think Goodbye Lenin, and Sonnenallee.) What separates the lives of others from those is its serious, fairly tragic tone. However, what I like about this in comparison to other films which deal with the topic is how well-written the characters are here. Wiesler is one of the most interesting characters I've come across in not only German cinema, but in the spy thriller genre as a whole.

This is a film that it's incredibly easy to get invested in. But the intrigue doesn't come from fast-paced action sequences or moments of tension with bombastic soundtracks. Instead, it comes from the fact that we care about the characters. Even when there are moments where people do bad things, we understand that they have to do them to protect themselves.

Usually, I have at least one bad thing to say about each film I review, but in this case I can't think of one. The acting is impeccable, the script is brilliantly written, and Gabriel Yared's score is incredibly emotive and adds so much to the film.

I loved this film. This is a masterpiece of German cinema, and if you have even a passing interest in this period of history, I'd call this an essential watch. If you're a spy thriller fan you've most likely already seen this, but if not, then treat yourself - get this on DVD, blu-ray, stream it. It doesn't matter - just make sure you watch it.

Score: A+