The Good German
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Metascore
49 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.5 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Cate Blanchett, George Clooney
  • Summary: Based on the novel by Joseph Kanon, The Good German takes place in the ruins of post-World War II Berlin, where U.S. Army was correspondent Jake Geismar (Clooney) becomes embroiled with Lena Brandt (Blanchett), a former lover whose missing husband is the object of a manhunt by both the American and Russian armies. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 34
  3. Negative: 5 out of 34
  1. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    This is Soderbergh's show, and a haunting and hypnotic show it is.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    80
    Blanchett gets everything right -- the accent, her German dialogue, the weary sexuality (deliberately reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich) and the amorality her character has embraced.
  3. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Mark Bell
    60
    Overall, while the film is a gorgeous, nostalgic cinema experience, and there's definitely a multiple of mini-plots to unravel while you work towards the final resolution, the film comes up as a bit of a dud.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    38
    The Good German is just stiff. When Soderbergh tries one of those patented swoop-in-on-the-diagonal moves at a key dramatic moment, the effect is comic. And at that precise moment, the story starts dying a slow, oxygen-deprived death.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 6 out of 15
  1. KlausR
    10
    Excellent movie and technically brilliant. My American wife and me (German) think the movie should be more aptly named "The good American". Thats why all the American reviews seem to hate it. How dares Soderbergh to spoil the last US war which was to common understanding won morally and millitarily. Very honest plot like Platoon, life is not black and white, life comes in all shades of gray. You wake up after 50 years, wow the US can still make great movies. Actors were great, and yes they quoted from the very best of film noir but it was not copycat.… Expand
  2. DaveA.
    8
    Taking a break from his either commercially successful or critically acclaimed filmmaking, soderbergh does something only a filmmaker as successful, versatile, and talented is allowed to do: make something totally self-indulgent. It's pretty clear that everybody on this film had a great time making it. And as soon as you buy into the style, there's no reason you can't have a great time watching it. And by the way, Cate blanchett is a goddess.… Expand
  3. MarkM.
    6
    I thought the entire cast was very good, especially Cate Blanchett. The problem was there were too many loose ends. I recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates excellent acting but don't expect too much from it.… Expand
  4. MarkM
    2
    A plot that wants to be intriguing is terribly boring, bordering on trite. Maguire is absolutely miscast and his horrible performance nearly derails the nmovie before it gets started. Clooney basically stands there looking, but not acting, like an iconic period figure, confused. Only the great Cate is up to her cypher of a role. Of interest only to those who find vintage film stock and camera lenses interesting.… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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