"Sommer vorm Balkon" or "Summer in Berlin" is a German 105-minute movie fro over 10 years ago. The writer is Wolfgang Kohlhaase and he has been working in the industry for a long time, even if the name is probably not known to many. The director is Andreas Dresen and he is among Germany's most awarded filmmaker in recent history, even if the name Dresen is probably not too known outside Germany. The lead actresses are Inka Friedrich and Nadja Uhl. Both scored a German Film Award nomination for their performances and so did supporting actor Andreas Schmidt. This film we have here is pretty much a perfect description of Dresen's approach to film. There is not really a lot happening in terms spectacular events, but it is a realistic study of two women being best friends and living in apartments the same house. It is about love, pain, financial problems etc. stuff that maybe all of us can relate to somehow.
The acting is fairly good from start to finish and even if moments of true emotion and greatness are missing in my opinion, this was a very solid watch and it never dragged, which is not to be taken for granted for a film over 100 minutes. I also couldn't say what Dresen could have done better because it worked very well. The characters are also pretty likable, at least the two main characters and you feel for them. Dresen strikes through realism again and it's nice to see all the recognition he got for his work here. Thumbs up and I recommend "Sommer vorm Balkon". Worth checking out and one of the best German films from 2005.
The acting is fairly good from start to finish and even if moments of true emotion and greatness are missing in my opinion, this was a very solid watch and it never dragged, which is not to be taken for granted for a film over 100 minutes. I also couldn't say what Dresen could have done better because it worked very well. The characters are also pretty likable, at least the two main characters and you feel for them. Dresen strikes through realism again and it's nice to see all the recognition he got for his work here. Thumbs up and I recommend "Sommer vorm Balkon". Worth checking out and one of the best German films from 2005.