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Barbara (2012)

Drama | 105 minutes
3,29 266 votes

Genre: Drama

Duration: 105 minuten

Country: Germany

Directed by: Christian Petzold

Stars: Nina Hoss, Ronald Zehrfeld and Mark Waschke

IMDb score: 7,2 (16.960)

Releasedate: 8 March 2012

Barbara plot

East Germany, summer 1980. The young doctor Barbara wants to leave the country and has applied for an exit visa. However, this request is not accepted by the government and it is even sent to the province. Barbara has to leave her job in Berlin and go to work in a small hospital, somewhere far away. She hesitates and hopes that her beloved Jörg, who comes from West Germany, prepares their escape. In the countryside she settles in and waits. She now has a life on the sidelines, when she actually wants to leave to build a future elsewhere and because of that she cannot develop feelings for her surroundings, her neighbors, her colleagues. She only has affection for her patients in pediatric surgery. Her boss André appreciates her work, but why does he pay so much attention to her? Does he belong to the Stasi? Or is he in love with her? Barbara doesn't know and the scheduled flight gets closer and closer...

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avatar van Ferdydurke

Ferdydurke

  • 1353 messages
  • 854 votes

Story with a nice premise, which, however, is worked out way too sketchy, and even a bit cheesy. The potential drama resolves itself into a 'dilemma' that – as it is presented here – should not have that name, the options are so crystal clear, and the whole thing ends with a soothing fizzle. Barbara is eventually made much too 'easy' to come to her (therefore) very predictable decision.

Still a reasonable sketch of the oppressive, oppressive and paranoid atmosphere, which must have been there in the GDR, especially for people who - for whatever reason - ended up in the sights of the Stasi, and a decent actress in the lead role .

But it's all a bit too explicit and constructed (in the dialogues, and in the plot development), too hands-on for the viewer.

It seems that Petzold has not been able to choose between a real human drama and a public film that all goes out in the obvious sentiment. Now it has become neither, and the film lacks depth, both in the personal and in the social aspect.

A little more ambiguity and unspokenness in the personal motivations of this or that person, and more difficult personal and moral dilemmas, would probably have made for a better film.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van james_cameron

james_cameron

  • 6980 messages
  • 9775 votes

Fine little work from Germany, a subtly elaborated romantic drama against the background of the gray and gray East Germany of 1980. Played modestly and sparingly in terms of dialogues and emotions, but after a somewhat stiff start, the viewer is nevertheless drawn into the events. Especially the apparently peaceful but slowly suffocating atmosphere is well hit.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Movsin

Movsin

  • 8264 messages
  • 8426 votes

It is known that many East Germans at the time of the Wall sought to flee to West Germany.

The main character from this film is one of them and that is what the film is about, but it is not always very clear. Barbara's attitude is hard to explain. Someone in her case takes a completely different attitude than an apathetic, suspicious attitude towards her environment.

Not that much tension really.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original