Horst in Translation ([email protected])
"Auftauchen" is a German movie from almost 10 years ago that runs for almost 90 minutes (without credits). I saw that it is also known as "Amour fou", but don't mix it up with the superior more recent film with that title. It is the only feature film so far by writer and director Felicitas Korn. Lead actress is Henriette Heinze and lead actor is Golo Euler. I only knew Heinze before watching this one and she is also more lead in here I guess. We follow the blossoming love of a couple, in which the female is roughly 10 years older, how they get together, how they spend a great time, how they struggle with their relationship. As everything is crumbling, especially professionally around the female central character, it also has a negative impact on their relationship.I must say that this was not a good watch. Euler's character was truly uninteresting and almost seemed like nothing but a vehicle for Heinze's at some point. You cannot really blame the actor because it's the way he was written. And in terms of writing, Heinze's character did not look any better. Her struggles were obvious, but instead of great character development, the longer the film goes, the more she is reduced to uncontrolled screaming. I can certainly see why Korn did not make any other films afterward. And there were some scenes in here that were obviously only intended for shock purpose, such as the various sex scenes or the scene in the bathroom when she asks if he wants to see it. So gross and it added nothing in terms of story or character elaboration. "Auftauchen" is certainly not a complete failure, but the negative outweighs the positive for sure. Not recommended.
