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One Of The Best Experiences I Had In A Movie Theatre
posted by janarSTAFFMOD on February 26, 2017 at 5:15 PM
I watched Toni Erdmann last year in a small cinema, and it was one of the best experiences I had in a movie theatre in my life! 
There were like 40 to 50 people in the room, all looking forward to what's going to happen, because the reviews were great and everyone I know suggested to go see this movie. And while there were laughs from time to time at the beginning, and one great comical scene in the middle, I think everyone felt the same as I did: It builds up to something big at the end, either very dramatic, or tragic, or anything else. The suspense in the room was fantastic - I think I never experienced something this intense before in a theatre.
And then at the end, when this beautifully crafted scene appeared, the whole crowd was laughing their hearts out and couldn't hold it together. The older gentleman to my left (we never met before) snorted with laughter - I thought he will get into cardiac arrest anytime soon -, until he took my arm to hide his face and dry his tears. It was surreal, because I couldn't stop laughing myself and I was okay with him doing that, which was weird under the circumstances - but, well, that's what we did. Even now, as I write this, I still smile about the film and this scene. And it's not dumb humour at all - the film is spot on and defines the absurdities in a globalized world, in which every (working) human being seems to be undermined, restricted and deformed by the primacy of business corporations and their "anonymous" decisions.
I haven't had the opportunity to watch it again, but I'll never forget this evening. The older gentleman and I used our evening after the film to talk about it, especially about the main actress Sandra Hüller and her other films. And when I got back home, I looked up the director, Maren Ade, and I was quite astonished to find out that she did another of my favourite German movies years earlier, Der Wald vor lauter Bäumen. What a coincidence!
Did anyone make a similar experience watching this film?
Best wishes,
janar
"Love [...] is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being." - Ellen Page
Reply by rudely_murray
on June 19, 2017 at 10:46 PM
I liked this film a lot, although I found that it rambled at times and could, perhaps, have been trimmed a little. The opening 20-30 minutes were riveting, and the entire 'party' sequence towards the end was one of the most hilariously awkward things I have watched in some time. Both main actors were superb, Sandra Hüller in particular.
Reply by janar
on June 26, 2017 at 1:12 PM
@rudely_murray said:
I actually didn't have the feeling that it could've been trimmed a little. But I'm not sure if this might have been due to me watching it in a theatre? That's why I want to ask you: Did you watch it alone/with friends at home on TV/DVD or in a theatre? I'm a bit reluctant to watch it again because it was such a great experience last year and it might fall flat once I watch it again for myself on TV/DVD?
Yes, one of the best comical scenes I've ever watched. I couldn't stop laughing ...
Indeed! I remember that Sandra Hüller was superb in a movie called Requiem. But, somehow, I lost her out my sight since then. That has definitely to change, haha ...
Best wishes,
janar
"Love [...] is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being." - Ellen Page