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Händler der Vier Jahreszeiten (1971)

Drama | 88 minutes
3,51 91 votes

Genre: Drama

Duration: 88 minuten

Alternative title: The Merchant of Four Seasons

Country: West Germany

Directed by: Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Stars: Hans Hirschmüller, Irm Hermann and Hanna Schygulla

IMDb score: 7,3 (5.689)

Releasedate: 10 February 1972

Händler der Vier Jahreszeiten plot

As a fruit merchant, Hans Epp (Hirschmüller) drives his cart through the courtyards of Munich. His family despises him for his work and his wife (Hermann) is cool and reserved. Hans drinks too much and one day he has a heart attack. When he is well again, he hires his old buddy Harry. The trade is flourishing, but Hans feels superfluous and becomes increasingly depressed. In the end he drinks himself to death. Bitter melodrama based on Fassbinder.

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Full Cast & Crew

Actors and actresses

Irmgard Epp

Anna Epp, Hans's sister

Renate Epp, Hans's daughter

Hans's great love

Dr. Harlach

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avatar van dutchtuga

dutchtuga

  • 16970 messages
  • 4101 votes

Fassbinder does what he is good at here, and that is to paint as realistic and bleak a picture of human drama as possible.

Aesthetically often unbearable to watch, but that only reinforces the somber themes. A depressing film that is powerful due to the aforementioned factors and the good casting. The acting isn't superb, but the facial expressions make up for a lot. A good drama that rivals Fassbinder's best work.

3.5*

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Movsin

Movsin

  • 8286 messages
  • 8443 votes

A film by Fassbinder always deserves attention.

His "Der Händler der Vier Jahreszeiten" sometimes comes across as somewhat disjointed, provides surprising twists in the story, but is very stylistic, creating atmosphere and emotion, and features actors who impress even though they often seem to be (intentionally) overacting.

It is a somewhat lyrical drama, flirting with melodrama, yet still quite to the point and, all in all, highly enjoyable.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Dievegge

Dievegge

  • 3187 messages
  • 8245 votes

Fassbinder takes you to a working-class environment of a few generations ago. A crucifix hung on the wall. Curtains and tablecloths had geometric motifs. Being a fruit vendor was a seasonal profession that no longer exists. Plums ripened earlier than pears.

Hans suffers from an inferiority complex. He is physically smaller than his wife. His family is ashamed of his vulgar profession. Flashbacks reveal memories of painful moments in his life: his failure with the Munich police, his flogging in the Foreign Legion. He develops aggressive and self-destructive tendencies. Despite warnings from his doctor, he turns to drinking.

Spying and being spied on are the order of the day. Distrust reigns between husband and wife, between employer and employee. His old army buddy seems ready to take his place as head of the family. Windows, doors, and mirrors are a frame within the frame. Brown and gray are dominant.

Intense events are depicted without sentiment. Despite the dark tone, there are also funny moments. Several Fassbinder regulars appear in supporting roles: Hanna Schygulla as the sister; El Hedi ben Salem in the final flashback. The German version of Rocco Granata's Buona Notte, a lullaby containing the word Sehnsucht, is the musical expression of the desire to escape.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original