The Good German Release
Date: December 15, 2006 (NY, LA, Toronto; wider release: December 22; wider
release: January 19, 2007) Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Steven Soderbergh
Screenwriter: Paul Attanasio Starring: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire, Leland
Orser, Beau Bridges, Tony Curran Genre: Drama, Thriller MPAA Rating: R (for language, violence and some sexual content) Official Website:
TheGoodGerman.com
Plot Summary: Based on the novel by Joseph
Kanon, "The Good German" takes place in the ruins of post-WWII Berlin, where
U.S. Army war correspondent Jake Geismar (George Clooney) becomes embroiled with
Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett), a former lover whose missing husband is the object
of a manhunt by both the American and Russian armies. Intrigue mounts as Jake
tries to uncover the secrets Lena may be hiding in her desperation to get
herself and her husband out of Berlin. Tully (Tobey Maguire), a soldier in the
American army motor pool assigned to drive Jake around Berlin, has black market
connections that may be Lena's way out -- or lead them all into even darker
territory.
DVD
Review: Despite its flaws, The Good German is a welcome gift for
every film lover who laments that "they don't make 'em like they used to."
Steven Soderbergh's affectionate, knowing tribute to the black-and-white
melodramas of Hollywood's golden age may lack the emotional depth and romantic
passion of Michael Curtiz's Casablanca--the 1946 classic it intentionally
emulates--but as Soderbergh approximates Curtiz's studio style, he delivers a
shimmering, shadowy reminder that movies can be enjoyed for the sheer pleasure
of their craftsmanship...more
Noirs
this good don't come along every day, or even every year Chris Barsanti: Filmcritic.com
Romance, murder, corruption, the looming mood of great
historical events, The Good German has all the hallmarks of a
well-meaning, by-the-books Hollywood period drama....more
"A
movie so self-conscious that it's drained of all life" David Ansen: Newsweek
Soderbergh's skill, intelligence and love for the
genre are never in doubt. But, as it turns out, you can't
play it again, Sam....more
Maguire
is fabulous Carina Chocano: LA Times
In a few quick strokes, Soderbergh and screenwriter
Paul Attanasio (working from a novel by Joseph Kanon) sketch
a convincing scenario in which it is technically not
possible for the good guys to win a war because good guys
don't fight them...more
"The
Good German" is a stillborn conceit in all respects except
the dark heart beating at its center Ty Burr:
Boston Globe The Good German is a movie wonk's triumph and
no one else's. Soderbergh gets the visuals right but not the
clean storytelling line of classic cinema, nor the iconic
characters or moral certainty of the oldies...more
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Release
Date: December 15, 2006 (NY, LA, Toronto; wider release: December 22; wider
release: January 19, 2007)
Noirs
this good don't come along every day, or even every year
"A
movie so self-conscious that it's drained of all life"