1. Steve

   10

   Given that I give a 10 once every few years this film must be a stand out and it is perhaps the most human film i have seen. Although harrowing, the setting is secondary but the story universal. The lead character could just as easily be an implement of the Church in Reformation times or a government operative in many a war as it slowly dawns on him that the national values for which he embodys are gone and filled with a perversion. To fulfil what he views as the true values of the country effectively mean treason but a decent man must make a stand. The subject of the surveillance comes to a similar juncture as he too realises that a true patriot doesn’t follow his country blindly and sometimes has to kick out. The acting was first rate throughout and the directing is marvellous especially considering it’s the director’s first film. As has happened so often in the past history will show this to be the best picture of any language of 2008 (by a country mile) meaning that yet again that the Academy committee has made mistake. This is cinema at its best; we are informed by the picture, it lives with us uncomfortably for a while after viewing and it should make all who view it a better person.… Expand

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2. DenizY

   10

   One of the best and most powerful films I've seen in a long time. Takes a highly interesting time and transforms it into a mere backdrop for an amazing performance by the actors. The only shameful part of the movie is that the English translations are pure crap, and close to nothing what is actually being said. I'm not talking about literal translation, I mean you get a completely different idea of what is going on if you don't speak German and have to follow the subtitles. PS - The LA Weekly critic has it's head up you know where... The director / writer of this movie was not trying to say the people in the Stasi were just following orders. He was trying to show they are humans too. In the beginning, the main character who works for the Stasi was 100% loyal to the State, and later becomes more human from spying on these people, realizing he has no life. Typical Americans and their hubris, overshadowing the true meaning of things. And that's coming from a fellow American.… Expand

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     1 of 1 users said yes
3. anonymous

   0

   Shame this film is wrecked by its obvious and heavy handed approach towards the iron curtain countries that it has turned into propaganda. once again, its a bit like "we love democracy so much, yeah!!!!!!"… Expand

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     0 of 0 users said yes

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