The Good German Review
by Clint Morris
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When we said ‘It’s a pity they don’t make them like they use
to’, someone should’ve informed George Clooney that we didn’t mean they
had to start using black and white film stock, talk robotically, and
make do with a single camera again. What we were talking about, of
course, was the lack of good stories, good performances and movies that
put character before computer, story before special effects, and
titillation before tits. Not a movie that looks like it comes out of
pre-cassette Hollywood.
On the other hand, it’s admirable seeing
filmmakers that can think on their own, do something different, and not
take any notice of their manager – even when they’re chasing you down
Sunset yelling ‘No George! No! Don’t do it!’
But should
actor/producer Clooney have listened? In some respects, yes. This is
one of those films that will undoubtedly make Clooney and director feel
very, very proud – pleased with their impudent triumph – but will
likely leave others, though impressed with their boldness, scratching
their heads and asking “Why? Too much B/W stock left after Goodnight and Goodluck?”
From the no-frills opening credits to the uncolorised film stock used, German wants you to believe it’s one of those films straight out of classic 1940s Hollywood.
Clooney
(looking – because of the film stock – more Clark Gable than ever)
plays a U.S army correspondent, who helps his former flame (Cate
Blanchett), search for her missing husband, who is wanted by U.S and
Russian forces. Shadowing their efforts is the correspondent’s driver
(Tobey Maguire), a GI with connections to the black market – and
someone who’s not quite sure where his loyalties should lie.
Warner’s
prize steed has truly outdone himself with the film – it looks a
marvel. He has definitely recaptured the look and feel of the old
classic B/W movies (largely Casablanca).
It looks a treat. And if it weren’t for the language and sex scenes –
he could’ve done without both, and it would’ve worked just as well, if
not better – you’d believe it were straight out of the golden era of
Hollywood.
There’s just one thing: There’s no flippin’ script –
it’s supposed to be based on a book by Joseph Kanon?; what part? - or
if there is, someone’s neglected to bring it to set. This thing is dead
dull. They’ve spent so much time on making the thing looks great – but
they’ve forgotten to back it up with an interesting storyline. Very
un-Clooney like.
Films back then had great stories… so if
anything, this idea should’ve started with that – heck, all good movies
should start with a good story, right? If the visually stunning and
storyline-solid Sin City
could find that perfect balance, why couldn’t two – four, if you can’t
Maguire and Blanchett; though they’re merely actors that doing what
they’re told - of Hollywood’s best, find it for this? They’ve really
injured the film because of that missing element.
Good German? Nah, not quite. 2 out
of 5 The Good German
Australian
release: 8th March,
2007
Cast: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire, Robin Weigert, Dave Power
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Website: Click
here.
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