Was nützt die Liebe in Gedanken (2004)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Achim von Borries

Writers:

Hendrik Handloegten (writer)
Annette Hess (writer)

Release Date:

16 April 2004 (Austria)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A posthumous look at the last days of Guenther's life as he, his best friend, and his sister let loose on a four-day binge of alcohol, drugs, and sex.

Plot Keywords:

Best Friend | Weimar Germany | Despair | Suicide Pact | Gay Interest

Awards:

6 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Daniel Brühl	...	Paul Krantz
August Diehl	...	Günther Scheller
Anna Maria Mühe	...	Hilde Scheller
Jana Pallaske	...	Elli
Thure Lindhardt	...	Hans
Verena Bukal	...	Rosa
Julia Dietze	...	Lotte
Buddy Elias	...	Dr. Frey
Luc Feit	...	Zipfer
Marius Frey	...	Bittner
Holger Handtke	...	Wieland
Jonas Jägermeyr	...	Pit
Roman Kaminski	...	Vorsitzender bei Gericht
Christoph Luser	...	Macke
Tino Mewes	...	Django

Also Known As:

Love in Thoughts (International: English title) (USA)
Liebe in Gedanken (Germany) (working title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Japan:R-15 | Singapore:M18 | Australia:MA | Argentina:18 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | France:U | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich)

Filming Locations:

Brandenburg, Germany

Company:

X-Filme Creative Pool

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film is set in 1927, the song "Mir ist so nach dir" which was played in the film was 1930 released.

Quotes:

Hilde: What use is love only in thought?

Soundtrack:

you're in my heart (the gramophone song)

Slightly Pretentious Euro-Drama

"Love In Thoughts" is a beautifully made, yet ultimately pretentious, German drama based on an event in the life of the author, Paul Krantz (who published under the name of Ernst E. Noth).

The film focuses on Paul's friendship with Guenter and his love for Guenter's sister, Hilde. This scenario is further complicated by the fact that Hilde is having an affair with Hans, a man that Guenter also loves. Paul and Guenter discuss taking their own lives, and those of their lovers, when their love has reached "it's zenith". Over the course of a weekend, Paul and Guenter are rejected by the objects of their affection and they reach the point where they have to decide whether or not to go through with their murder/suicide pact.

My biggest objection to the film is the treatment of Paul and Guenter's fatalistic view of love. Their actions are treated as grandiose and tragic. Personally, I'm not sure what is particularly heroic or romantic about two losers who turn homicidal/suicidal when their imaginary lovers reject them. This problem is compounded by the fact that Hilde and Hans are so unappealing. Hilde is the town bike, who not only disrespects her brother's emotions but is also rude to her best friend. Hans, on the other hand, is a chef with bad teeth, who doesn't appear to have anything going for him at all.

Despite the film's general pretentiousness and self importance, it does have many things to offer. Firstly, the actors. I enjoyed Daniel Bruehl's portrayal of Paul. He is a little bit pouty but the subtlety of his performance is a huge relief in comparison to August Diehl's hammy turn as Guenter. The film offers the chance to view another fine actor in Thure Lindhardt, who plays the creepy Hans. Furthermore, the film looks absolutely fantastic. The cinematography is stunning. The landscape is captured beautifully and a scene in which the teenagers get high on absinthe is wonderful filmed.

This is an accomplished film but by no means a great one. Despite its significant beauty, "Love In Thoughts" is ultimately hollow and insubstantial.