a german film set in berlin post world war 2 is enticing
more so as it stars nina hoss last seen in barbara at nziff 2014
that memorable (i think) film also directed by christian petzold
a promise here of a hitchcock-esque film-noir drama irresistible
a woman at night driving a car and constantly checking her passenger
pulling up to a roadblock and harrassed by the american armed guards
nice car - where's it from - switzerland as am i - we then see the passenger
her head wrapped in bloodied bandages which the guard orders to remove
the driver advising she is from the camps - an apology and waved through
scenes in a hospital with a surgeon asking what face the patient now wants
suggesting an opportunity for a change is good - but - i want my old face back
when she is released the 2 ladies take up common residence and make plans
lene (driver) is keen to travel to palestine presumably to be part of the new israel
but nelly has an urge to find her family though known to be killed by the nazis
she is then seen picking through the rubble of the now destroyed family home
and at night standing outside a music club - phoenix - recognising a patron
this as he hauls a lady away for a quick bit of business nelly is witness to
but no it is not her husband johnny but a man who then proceeds to mug her
back at the shared house lene chastises her for her naivety alone at night
seems berlin post-war is a dangerous place particularly for jewish women
despite lene's protestations nelly continues the quest to find her husband
which she then does at the club but he does not recognise her changed face
but - she is now quite rich - and he does recognise the chance to cash in
he hatches a plan for the 2 of them to fake her arrival back in berlin
long enough to secure her inheritance which they will share 50-50
ok - thinking - this is a bit of a stretch but i may be missing something
we and she know she is his wife but he only sees a passing resemblance
lene is horrified that nelly has made contact and warns her to avoid him
for it is he that dobbed his own wife into the nazis but nelly is not sure
she then proceeds to play along with johnny's plan to get to the truth
right - hence the hitchcock talk - a simple premise with a big twist
it's hard to know if johnny has twigged to it but he works on the plan
this partly involves a visit to a country lake where she was hidden
and meeting the local innkeepers who do seem to recognise her
this throws him a bit and some creeping doubt now in his mind
especially when he does then drop her real name but he pushes on
he prepares her for an arrival by train to be met by him and friends
insisting that he needs to scar her arm to fake removal of her number
he says released auschwitz prisoners did so that will aid authenticity
in a further twist it is revealed lene has surprisingly committed suicide
her dream of getting to palestine with nelly now dashed - and a note
i am drawn more to the dead than the living - and another document
proof that nelly's husband divorced her just before the nazis arrested her
thot plickens - and the finale arrives - she steps off the train as arranged
friends gather and embrace her - she walks to johnny to play it out
her head on his shoulder as he planned and then off they all go
a lunch at a large country estate and lots of small talk flowing
and then nelly suggests a song and johnny to play the piano
she sings - speak low - his face drains as he realises the truth
her voice for one thing and her prison number seen on her arm
she finishes the song - she walks out of the room - the film ends
interesting - i kind of get the rave reviews - but - but - not sure
a lot of time thinking about it afterwards suggests an impact
maybe a repeat viewing - it will certainly stand up to that...
