The Live of Others (2006, Germany)

aka Das Leben Der Anderen

I thought i wasn't going to like this movie, mostly because it won an Oscar. But to my surprise and delight i enjoyed it a lot. I don't think it really says much about the Soviet era in East Germany and it mostly focuses on the belabored repression of intellectuals and artists. I suppose that the theme is somewhat more "universal" than all that, and it plays out more like a classic tragedy.

I wonder if Ulrich Muehe hadn't give such a good performance as the surveilance expert Gerd Wiesler, would that character have seemed a bit thin, because it's really his acting that creates the part.

Over two hours long and no watch checks!