Hi everyone!
Keith Lyons returns to help clean up the remaining nominees for Best Foreign Language picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes, this time with the German submission. Check out his other reviews in the category for “Shoplifters” (Episode #394) and “Capernaum” (Episode #416). You can also check out my love fest review for “Roma” (Episode #352). Got any suggestions? Reach out over social media and let us know!
Take it away, Keith!
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Hi, Philly Film Fan here with another review for One Movie Punch. You can follow me on Twitter @PhillyFilmFan.
Today’s movie is “Never Look Away” (2018), the film written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. “Never Look Away” was nominated for two Oscars this year but was thwarted in both categories by “Roma”. It was Germany’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film and Caleb Deschanel was nominated for his cinematography. This was Caleb Deschanel’s sixth Academy Award nomination, but he’s probably more famous for being the father of actresses Emily Deschanel and Zooey Deschanel. Also, his wife, Mary Jo Deschanel, was on “Twin Peaks” where she played Lara Flynn Boyle’s mom. I feel like I may have gotten off track.
Uh, no spoilers.
“Never Loom Away” is a historical drama about a fictional artist named Kurt Barnert (Tom Schilling). His story is told in three distinct segments: Kurt’s childhood in Dresden under the Nazis; Kurt’s art education in the Soviet-approved school of Socialist Realism in East Germany; and, finally, Kurt’s blossoming as an artist in Dusseldorf, West Germany. These are three drastically different times in Germany’s history but the film links them, not just through Kurt’s biography, but through reoccurring themes such as authoritarian control, the purpose of art, reproductive choice (or lack thereof), and truths that are understood but not openly acknowledged.
“Never Look Away” may be Kurt’s story, but it’s the women in his life who leave a greater impression on the viewer. Saskia Rosendahl gives a standout performance as Kurt’s aunt, Elisabeth May, an unconventional woman who is both unwilling and unable to conform to society’s standards. She would struggle in any environment but in Nazi Germany her failure to fit in puts her in a particularly dangerous position. Rosendahl finds the beauty in Elisabeth’s passion for art without compromising the character’s rough edges. In the hands of a less talented actress, Elisabeth could come off as a garden variety manic-pixie dream girl but Rosendahl reveals the depth to this character. Another really strong performance comes from Paula Beer as Ellie Seeband, Kurt’s fellow student and love interest. She first appears as a charming co-ed, primed to be seduced and won over by Kurt but, as the plot advances, things get more serious and Beer handles the more dramatic scenes with aplomb.
Okay, there’s a controversy about this film that we need to address. Although “Never Look Away” is about a fictional painter named Kurt Barnert, it is clearly based on real-life artist Gerhard Richter. And Gerhard Richter does not like this film. Before directing “Never Look Away”, Donnersmarck met with Richter to discuss the artist’s life and they wound up spending a month together. Richter claims that the two men came to an understanding that Donnersmarck would not use Richter’s name or paintings in the film. However, Richter’s name has been used to promote this film and some of his most famous works were re-created for the film by Richter’s former assistant. But the biggest concern is that Richter is accusing Donnersmarck of “abuse[ing] and grossly distort[ing] my biography”. Donnersmarck, for his part, claims that he has done nothing wrong and that the film paints Richter in a positive light.
It is difficult to know how to assess this film. I saw “Never Look Away” believing it to be fictional and found it to have a compelling story, strong performances, and a good pace that kept the over three-hour running time from feeling like a burden. However, I can’t think of anyone who can speak on this film with more authority than Gerhard Richter, and he seems to hate it. So take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Metacritic: 69
One Movie Punch: 7.0/10
“Never Look Away” (2018) is rated R and is currently playing in theaters.
This jawn was brought to you by Philly Film Fan. For more movie reviews, follow me on Twitter at PhillyFilmFan where I’m participating in the #365Movies challenge. That’s P-H-I-L-L-Y-F-I-L-M-F-A-N.
