Engrossing political thriller!

The Lives of Others is an enthralling, provocative German thriller that accurately captures a truly horrifying time in the East Germany's history (a period that concluded less than two decades ago). This sophisticated narrative is brimming with rich characters, amazing imagery, expressive direction and credible performances from a foreign cast. The brilliance of The Lives of Others warranted piles of acclaim and even an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film (a controversial win over the highly favoured and much-praised Pan's Labyrinth). The film's story is stemmed from actual happenings that transpired during the recreated period. Secret police were essentially dominating the streets. The filmmakers encompass many of the horrific rules and unfair practises that permeated the former society being depicted. Due to the amazing efforts behind the camera, the film will leave the viewer transfixed and wholly immersed in the visuals infused with such legitimacy and intrigue. Aptitude in every filmmaking aspect results in a compelling experience, one that successfully displays the devastating effects of socialism.

Set in East Germany a mere 5 years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the film conveys a beguilingly effective narrative using real events for its foundation. This was a time when the horrifying Stasi (the secret police) made it their business to employ an all-embracing association of spies and extensive surveillance to expose every secret facet concerning the citizens that surround them. This was an inhumane culture that victimised mankind's vulnerability. The Stasi possessed the ability to devastate everything it touched, and make every citizen a potential suspect. Soft-spoken, popular playwright Georg Dreyman (Koch) lives a moderately private existence with his wife - accomplished actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Gedeck). Georg remains a loyal resident, and becomes a Stasi suspect due to the fact that he's never done anything remotely suspicious. The couple are placed under scrutiny with the brilliantly skilled Captain Gerd Wiesler (Mühe) assigned to the case. With Wiesler listening in, the officer starts learning of intimate details: information that implies unsuspected motives behind the wiretapping. Wielser evolves from a desolate spectator to an emotional participant, becoming embroiled in the lives of others. His involvement transports the film's story to unanticipated and fascinating places with cataclysmic consequences.

The Lives of Others marks the film debut of director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, whose meticulous and expressive direction further compliments the brilliantly written screenplay. This well-crafted thriller rapidly grasps the underlying communal and psychological factors within the film's context. This extraordinary film is both a profoundly moving human drama and a political thriller with hints of seductive features to boot. Director von Donnersmarck takes the audience into the very heart of reasonably recent European history, tackling the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and its dreaded Stasi. The directing is both expressive and engaging. Although a directorial debut, the director's utilisation of the camera cannot be faulted. Every moment is riveting, and provides deeply insightful views on the slate of characters.

Ulrich Mühe's performance as Wiesler is absolutely astonishing. The actor (who tragically died due to stomach cancer in 2007) credibly undertakes a challenging role. From the outset we find his screen presence brutal yet slightly charming. As Wiesler is entangled in the lives of the two central characters, his sinister persona withdraws and a more palpable side of his personality emerges: a sympathetic nature. Sebastian Koch is realistic as the seemingly innocent playwright that evolves into a far smarter, deeper character. Martina Gedeck is also worth mentioning for her astounding portrayal as the girlfriend of Koch's Georg Dreyman. To his credit, director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck permits the characters and their circumstances (with the back-and-forth structure) generate a natural tension. He doesn't utilise any callous camera techniques that would remove us from the story. More importantly, his transitions are so smooth that we begin to feel the close connection of the hunter and the hunted. The Lives of Others was filmed in Berlin, and this aspect only adds to the realism that appears organic to the screenplay.

On the whole, every feature on exhibition is accomplished in every aspect. The film is potent, fascinating, inspiring, powerful, engrossing and compelling, while challenging the audience to also become emotionally involved in the challenging skirmish between the protagonists. It's a smart, skilfully crafted political thriller that perhaps runs a tad too long. With flaring emotional intensity and capable filmmaking, though, it's possible to overlook the running time. The music as well is absolutely masterful. An impeccable mix of classical piano, with authentic music from the 1980s that's truly irresistible, is the final touch in the already sublime atmosphere. If that's not enough, the bleak and cold nature of the German streets is captured wonderfully by von Donnersmarck's lens. At places a tad slow, but The Lives of Others is an intriguing glimpse at subversive life in the GDR that bristles with authenticity. Hollywood filmmakers should start taking notes, as foreign films at times surpass the quality of Hollywood productions in every respect. If only these films were eligible for the Best Picture Oscar.

9.56/10