Goodbye Lenin (15)

Goodbye Lenin - I was moved by this unexpected film. I would recommend it to those who like Amelie. It is true it may not get the recognition it deserves because it's German. Please give it a try. It is a wonderful, funny, film that gets to you.

Goodbye Lenin - A staunch socialist, living in East Germany, has a massive heart attack and ends up in a coma. When she awakes eight months later much has changed but when doctors tell her son and daughter that a shock to the system could kill their beloved mother, they decide to hide the truth from her. And so begins Alex and Ariane's battle to make their mother believe that the Berlin Wall is still up and all is still well in her beloved East Germany. This is a quirky, sweet and thoroughly enjoyable film about the lengths people will go to to protect those they love. Young actor Daniel Bruhl gives a fantastic performance as the son, Alex, who is determined to protect his mother at any cost. Definitely worth checking out and don't let the subtitles put you off - if you only see one German film this year make it Goodbye Lenin!

Goodbye Lenin is a marvellous film but it will sink without trace in the UK because it is in German, that will be our loss for it is a most enjoyable 100 mins and what going to the cinema should be all about. It is 1988-9 a son and daughter have to recreate East Berlin for their mother who has just woken from a coma after a heart attack, doctors believe the shock of finding out that the state is collapsing may cause her to have another attack. The measures the son has to go through to protect his Mother are touching and at times extremely funny. It is about a son's love for his mother and nostalgia for an East Germany based around the good things rather than the bad ones. It will appeal to anyone who was in Berlin in the late 80s and anyone who just likes a good flick.