Goodbye Lenin - film review 26

BETWEEN THE CRACKS (film reviews)・2 minutes read

A son in 1970s East Berlin maintains the illusion of socialism for his comatose mother by creating an elaborate charade, leading to heartwarming and humorous moments, as portrayed in the film featuring strong performances by Daniel Bruhl and Katrin Sass.

Insights

  • Alex's elaborate charade to maintain the illusion of East Berlin's unchanged state for his comatose mother highlights the lengths people go to protect loved ones from harsh realities, showcasing the power of deception in preserving emotional well-being.
  • The film effectively intertwines themes of socialism, capitalism, and personal conformity through humor and warmth, offering a nuanced exploration of ideological conflicts within family dynamics and society at large, emphasizing the complexity of human relationships in the backdrop of political ideologies.

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  • What is the plot of the movie set in 1970s East Berlin?

    A mother in a coma, son maintains illusion.

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Summary

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Illusion of East Berlin's Unchanged State

  • The story is set in 1970s East Berlin, focusing on a mother deeply committed to socialism, who falls into a coma as her children grow up.
  • The son, Alex, must maintain the illusion of East Berlin's unchanged state to prevent shocking his mother, who believes the Berlin Wall still stands.
  • Alex creates an elaborate charade involving family, friends, and media to uphold the illusion, leading to humorous and heartwarming moments.
  • The film, blending comedy and drama, features strong performances, particularly by Daniel Bruhl and Katrin Sass, and explores themes of socialism, capitalism, and personal conformity in a whimsical manner.
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