the appeal in this film is that it is a 140 minute single take
set in modern day berlin - that good too - and rave reviews
i settle in for the ride and hope it's an entirely satisfying trip
some serious electronica running with the white on black titles
then bursting into strobe light as we are clearly in a dance club
silhouettes of people dancing and then focus on one euphoric lady
this has to be victoria - she seems alone and having a fine old time
she stumbles to the bar and orders a schnapps and messily downs it
a visit to the ladies room and then it's time to head out up the stairs
four boisterous lads are being denied entry - no money - they depart
all the while shouting abuse and one saying - i'll own this place one day
on the street at 4am in the morning and victoria banters with the gang
she speaks english and when questioned says she comes from madrid
a car is the centre of their talk - it seems they are trying to steal it
each of the four in turn stating it is their car - uh-oh - bad feeling
i'm feeling kind of protectionist towards her - crikey just walk away
she has a pushbike which she mounts but the lads keep hovering
somme seems the most decent of this bunch - only he speaks english
he introduces boxer, fuss and blinker - their mothers would love them
she is way too friendly to them - what are you doing? - i am thinking
they wander to a convenience store and enter - the attendant is asleep
somme claims to know him and will pay him tomorrow as they load up
so now she is a thief and it becomes clear this is going to end badly
outside boxer is taking on a couple of thugs to everyone's mirth
a decision to go on top of a building which is a regular hangout
she agrees to join them - gulp - on top the joints are smoked
somme agrees to walk her home to a cafe she has to open soon
inside at a piano somme claims to be a musician and plays a note
victoria however stunningly and expertly plays the mephisto waltz
somme is speechless and then interrupted by an urgent phone call
the other 3 soon show up with boxer most tense as a job is now on
more bad feelings - fuss has passed out and 4 people are required
yep - victoria is drafted to simply drive them to the job and back
they steal a van and she drives them to an underground car park
met by a bunch of armed thugs and their nasty ayrian looking leader
an armed holdup is on as boxer owes him for protection while in prison
cocaine is imbibed by all to 'heighten confidence' and they drive off
phew - this one take film is scarily realistic and so, so well done
the holdup seems to go ok as we wait in the van with victoria
racing away in the early morning light and the vehicle is dumped
a fast paced walk back to the club and they all now in party mode
money is vengefully splashed around and boxer does a strip dance
somme and victoria now in a drunk and high amorous state of being
the bouncers evict them - back to the van now surrounded by police
fuss has been left inside - they turn, they run and they are pursued
guns are drawn on both sides with a shootout taking out boxer
somme and victoria scramble to the nearest apartment building
they take a hostage and find his wife and baby in his apartment
four people now freaking out as the police surround the building
victoria has a plan so forces a change of clothes and grabs the baby
they leave and get past the police who usher them away from danger
into a taxi to the nearest (flash) hotel - in their room somme collapses
he has been shot and has hidden his wound but he then dies on her
she in turn breaks down with the realisation of what she has done
she is in a totally believable mess as the camera just keeps rolling
this is absolutely mind-blowing film-making on display up there
so much crammed into a couple of hours of continuous action
she picks herself up, takes the money, and leaves the hotel
last seen walking away down the street - destination - airport?
the end - have i ever been so relieved at the end of a film - no
this may well be the best film of the festival - a total blinder...
