Toni Erdmann (2016)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  162 Minutes

Rated: 15   

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Director: Maren Ade

Starring:  Sandra Hüller, Peter Simonischek, Michael Wittenborn, Thomas Loibl, Trystan Pütter, Ingrid Bisu

IMDB Rank: 7.3/10

Part 1 Time:  96 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:  66 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Ines Conradi (Sandra Hüller) leaves a dance club distraught. Winfried (Peter Simonischek) follows her, but is unable to stop Ines’ taxi from leaving. Later, Winfried he sits on a bed in reflection of the night’s events.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: No dialogue as Winfried quietly reflects on the bed.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Please, from this,” Winfried speaks to a vendor the following morning outside Ines’ flat.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Winfried taking on the role of Toni Erdmann attempts to reform his relationship with Ines (his daughter) through work and personal interactions. Ines seems to play along with the ruse not telling her friends or coworkers that Toni Erdmann is actually her father in disguise. Will this roll-playing help restore Winfried and Ines father daughter relationship?

Which part is better? The film is a lighthearted look into the importance of family and a work life balance. Ines has lost connection to her family as she is more focused on her career. Her father Winfried takes up an alter ego (Toni Erdmann) in an attempt to remind Ines of the importance of family. The second act of the film is notably better as the story enters into a more introspective and emotional phase, as both Ines and her father start to reassess their priorities and their connection.

Academy Awards:  Best Foreign Language Film (Nominated)