I must say that I was disappointed in The Good German. I think the director did a nice job of creating a certain black and white style, reminiscent of old era movies. But I think he did too many things way too similar to some well-known classics. And this makes The Good German look like as if it is trying to be a black and white classic from old times and not an original in its own account. It makes the audience remember those other movies and you automatically associate The Good German with those other movies (that is, if you have seen them).
George Clooney plays an American officer Captain Jake who comes to post-war Germany and runs into his old flame Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett). Soon, we find out that everybody (Russians and Americans) are after Lena's husband, Emil Brandt. According to her wife Lena, Emil is already dead. Captain Jake gets involved in the search for Emil Brandt and discovers some important facts.
I was also disappointed in the story. Either there were some unexplained things, some inconsistencies or I missed very important points because at the end I could not make sense of some things. George Clooney's character Jake, for some strange reason, never carries a gun. He is also a terrible fighter, he always gets beaten up. I honestly cannot think of one scene where he actually came out as the winner. No gun, no fighting skills - he is not your regular hero.
I also think Tobey Maguire was wrongly cast for this one. He is suited for roles where he is the nice, decent guy (He was perfect in Seabiscuit, The Cider House Rules and Wonder Boys) but he is so out of his element in this one. The only good thing about this movie, in my opinion, is Cate Blanchett. She is one of the finest actors in our time and she is a pleasure to watch. Her charisma on the screen is undeniable. And she makes a damn good German. She is just full of talent (see her also in Babel and The Notes on a Scandal).
George Clooney plays an American officer Captain Jake who comes to post-war Germany and runs into his old flame Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett). Soon, we find out that everybody (Russians and Americans) are after Lena's husband, Emil Brandt. According to her wife Lena, Emil is already dead. Captain Jake gets involved in the search for Emil Brandt and discovers some important facts.
I was also disappointed in the story. Either there were some unexplained things, some inconsistencies or I missed very important points because at the end I could not make sense of some things. George Clooney's character Jake, for some strange reason, never carries a gun. He is also a terrible fighter, he always gets beaten up. I honestly cannot think of one scene where he actually came out as the winner. No gun, no fighting skills - he is not your regular hero.
I also think Tobey Maguire was wrongly cast for this one. He is suited for roles where he is the nice, decent guy (He was perfect in Seabiscuit, The Cider House Rules and Wonder Boys) but he is so out of his element in this one. The only good thing about this movie, in my opinion, is Cate Blanchett. She is one of the finest actors in our time and she is a pleasure to watch. Her charisma on the screen is undeniable. And she makes a damn good German. She is just full of talent (see her also in Babel and The Notes on a Scandal).