X
- 2011
- Not Rated
- Kino International
- 1 h 30 m
- 2011
- Not Rated
- Kino International
- 1 h 30 m
Summary A champion marathoner leads a double life as a serial bank robber, sprinting between fixes (and away from police cavalcades) as many as three times a day. A lean, visceral study of pathological compulsion. (Kino International)
Directed By: Benjamin Heisenberg
Written By: Martin Prinz, Benjamin Heisenberg
- 2011
- Not Rated
- Kino International
- 1 h 30 m
- 2011
- Not Rated
- Kino International
- 1 h 30 m
The Robber
65
5.9
Where to Watch
Summary A champion marathoner leads a double life as a serial bank robber, sprinting between fixes (and away from police cavalcades) as many as three times a day. A lean, visceral study of pathological compulsion. (Kino International)
Directed By: Benjamin Heisenberg
Written By: Martin Prinz, Benjamin Heisenberg
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
65
50% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
65
50% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Exhilarating and, ultimately, filled with a sense of existential dread.
They use dialogue sparingly, powerfully; a talky detective sounds like a visitor from another planet. The world he has encroached upon is defined by the ability to run and the adrenaline-rush threat of capture. Freedom's just another word in this gripping existential portrait.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 7 User Ratings
5.9
43% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
43% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
14% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 7 User Ratings
5.9
43% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
43% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
14% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
great movie....suprised on the neg feedback.. i did enjoy all the twists in the film and most importantly thats its a true story ( as they claim it to be). If you enjoyed "the town" with ben afflick, then you'll definately enjoy this. A marathon runner who has a habit of robbing banks in order to make a living, very suspensfull.
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Adapted from Dennis Prinz's novel, which is based on real events, "The Robber" has all the elements of a penetrating character study. Unfortunately, director Martin Heisenberg doesn't always use those elements to his advantage. The story is about Johann Rettenberger, an Austrian bandit/marathoner known as "Pump-gun Ronnie." Heisenberg takes a muted, non-psychological approach to his story, and without much in the way of emotional engagement, keeping viewers engaged is certainly more challenging than need be.
Andreas Lust stars as Johann Rettenberger, a serial bank robber who has spent a six-year bid in prison training as a long-distance runner. After being released from prison, Johann runs into Erika (Franziska Weisz) at the Job Center which helps ex-cons find work. The dialogue makes it clear they've met before, but the narrative annoyingly withholds any connection to their past. Why is the beautiful, well-to-do Erika so drawn to this emotionally distant career criminal?
Ultimately, Johann returns to Vienna and combines his two true passions and what he knows best running and knocking over banks. His dominance on the marathon circuit gets him noticed, as does his daylight bank heists. Notoriously referred to as "Pump-gun Ronnie," after the Ronald Reagan mask he wears and the shotgun he brandishes. To this day, Rettenberger still holds the record time in the Bergmarathon, a world-famous marathon held in the Austrian Alps.
Frustratingly, we never really get a sense of who Johann is or what motivates him. He is expressionless, cold-hearted, and remains distant throughout. Heisenberg's treatment vividly communicates Rettenberger's neurotic defiance and destructive behavior, but that's no substitute for enabling the viewer to become invested in the character's fate. Johann does not let people into his life, and is a blank cipher as to why he leads the life of a bank robber. It is clearly not the money. Maybe it's the rush he gets, or maybe it is an unexplained obsession. The filmmaker leaves it for the viewer to decide. Although Heisenberg tries to suggest the robberies provide Johann with an adrenaline rush similar to that he experiences while running marathons, the character fails to show any sense of pleasure or catharsis that would make this parallel interesting.
Technical aspects of the film are highly impressive, and the incorporation of Johann into actual Vienna Marathon provides a real sense of authenticity. As a matter of execution, the film's last act is undeniably thrilling. Exceptional work by steadicam operator Matthias Biber gives all the chases and action sequences a visceral energy. "The Robber" could have been a great representation of compulsive behavior. As is, it is a rigid film that is technically sound with a fascinating lead protagonist we still know nothing about.
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Heisenberg's thriller ends with a chase across highways and through woods that will give viewers adrenaline highs of their own.
Propelled by Lust’s performance, this is a fascinating study of solitude and sociopathic obsession, up to a point.
Some viewers might give the movie a few extra points for its retro vibe of taciturn badassedness. But little punctures the wall of emotional remove-the pulse rate is way too controlled for entertainment's sake.
It's difficult to imagine a more fascinating case of sociopathic, obsessive-compulsive behavior, or a more disciplined, engrossing study of it. And yet a vital ingredient is missing.
With no emotional or stylistic hooks, there's not much compelling viewers to engage with what's happening onscreen.
Yep. Its enjoyable. If you watched a couple of bad movies beforehand, then, this would certainly be one to watch. Its lacking in narrative and story but I had enough interest to watch it to the end. Its a a bit arty but i could recommend it. Its just that some people may find it **** you like bank robber movies (but no action) and chases (no real action) , then its one to watch,,,,,if you need a strong dialogue and a story..then probably not.
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Andreas Lust is interesting in the very unique lead role, but his lack of "humanity" to go along with his manic need to simultaneously keep running and rob banks is a bit too off-putting. It's difficult to relate to the guy - to put yourself in his shoes. Yes, it's based on a true story, but he too machine-like to totally care about. Even his relationship with his love interest is too sterile (on both sides). It's a thrilling story, but could have been MUCH more interesting with more depth to the robber's character.
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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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Production Company
Film Institut,
FilmFernsehFonds Bayern,
Filmfonds Wien,
Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA),
Land Niederösterreich Kultur,
Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion,
Peter Heilrath Filmproduktion,
ZDF/Arte,
Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF),
Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF)
Release Date Apr 29, 2011
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating Not Rated
Awards
Austrian Film Award, AT
• 3 Wins & 7 Nominations
Gijón International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Chicago International Film Festival
• 2 Nominations
