Männersache (2009)

Directors:

Gernot Roll
Mario Barth (co-director)

Writers:

Mario Barth (screenplay)
Dieter Tappert (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 March 2009 (Germany)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title

Cast

Mario Barth	...	Paul
Dieter Tappert	...	Hotte
Michael Gwisdek	...	Rudi
Anja Kling	...	Susi
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bernd Begemann	...	Wirt Wolfgang
Michael Brandner	...	Heinz König
Katrin Filzen	...	Steffi von Niggemeier
Leander Haußmann	...	Fernsehproduzent
Max Köhler	...	Enkel Max
Florentine Lahme	...	Monique
Michael Lott	...	Walter
Oliver Nägele	...	Bernie
Uwe Ochsenknecht	...	Susis Vater
Victor Schefé	...	Winni Starmoderator
Ernst-Georg Schwill	...	Polizist alt & dick
Michael Sideris	...	Oli Laterne
Sido
Bernd Stegemann	...	Wirt Wolfgang
Thomas Thieme	...	Ingo Kloos
Jürgen Vogel	...	Rainer Gunsch
Gilbert von Sohlern	...	Polizist

Runtime:

Germany:90 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Constantin Film Produktion

Enjoyable funny flick with a surprisingly good cast

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I saw this movie at a pre-screening, so there might have been a lot of (unfinished) scenes in the movie that won't make it in the final cut. I am usually not a friend of Mario Barth's humor nor do find ordinary German comedies generally entertaining or funny but this movie sticks out from the 0815 crowd of similar films.

Spoiler: The film is about two childhood friends Paul and Hotte played by Mario Barth and Dieter Tappert (better known as Paul Panzer). Paul is working in a zoological department but dreams of becoming the next Jerry Lewis. He isn't very successful at trying as stand-up comedian at least not until he starts making fun of his best friend and the relationship with his girlfriend. Although they are as close to blood brothers as it could possibly get the situation starts to get out of hands. The sudden success seems to get to Paul's head and his new manager friend is making things even worse...

The movies story is as shallow as was to be expected with this kind of movie. The chemistry between the lead actors is good though and Tappert is surprisingly fresh in his role as Hotte. Michael Gwisdek as Paul's father Rudi is doing a fantastic job and is moral apostle of the movie. Anja Kling as Susi (Hotte's girlfriend) is as charming as she is scheming. She is the one, out of jealousy, who tries to tear the friendship apart between Paul and Hotte in the first place in order get have more time with her love. The movie also features a long list of celebrities in smaller, cameo style roles. Some of the movies potential is lost because it works too much with stereotypes and clichés. Some other gags are rather funny and I was truly entertained once the film gained momentum. Mario Barth is playing multiple roles and is doing a really good job (you got to love the character Marek!).

I am looking forward of seeing the final version of the film in 2009!