The Lives of Others Review: A Quiet, Powerful Surveillance Drama
9/10 — The Lives of Others (2006)
Pros
- Ulrich Mühe's restrained lead
- Authentic atmosphere
- Powerful final scene
Cons
- Slow burn
- A somewhat convenient redemption arc
In 1984 East Berlin, Stasi captain Gerd Wiesler is assigned to spy on a playwright and his actress partner, and becomes increasingly sympathetic to his targets. It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
What works
Ulrich Mühe gives a restrained, quietly transformative performance as Wiesler, and the film captures the suffocating paranoia of the East German state. The tension is built from small gestures, and the final scene is unbearably moving.
Where it falters
The central change of heart is a little convenient, and the pace is deliberate.
Verdict
A gripping, humane drama with one of cinema’s most affecting endings.
