'Lives of Others' compelling political thriller

By Nicole Bonomini, Staff Writer

May 3, 2007 | 10 a.m.

Teachers and parents may have told you never to talk sex or politics with strangers, but “The Lives of Others” does both to create a compelling political thriller.

Maybe audience members wouldn’t expect less from the 2006 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film. Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck certainly exceeded expectations in his filmmaking debut.

Donnersmarck sets his film in 1984 East Berlin, where Captain Gerd Wiesler gradually realizes the corruption of his employer, the Stasi (East Germany’s secret police). He is assigned to spy on a famous writer and an actress, who incidentally is his lover.

A staunch supporter of his government and the Stasi, Weisler cannot help being fascinated by the writer's and actress's lives. In their world, there is literature, freedom and love, rather than heartless orders and blind devotion to a system constantly on the watch for anyone against socialism.

Ulrich Mühe plays the captain beautifully. He is lifeless and dispassionate, until his latest targets show him a new perspective on life.

As the film's intricate plot of human drama unfolds, the line between masochistic self-destruction and survival ebbs away. The characters reveal a complex society alive with betrayal, seduction, jealousy and corruption, making it worthy of all the awards the film has won and more.

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Speakeasy rating: A
Running time: 2 hours, 17 minutes
MPAA rating: R
Genre: Drama, Foreign (German)