Hanno Koffler (top) and Max Riemelt |
Marc Borgmann (Hanno Koffler), a German in the police academy, has a pregnant girlfriend (Katharine Schuttler) but finds himself attracted to the more open Kay (Max Riemelt), a very handsome fellow male cop. Marc tries to resist his attraction, but the affair has repercussions both on the job and within his family. Free Fall seems somewhat dated for the 21st century -- its story of a closeted, guilt-wracked man, although such men certainly still exist, smacks more of the 1970's. The characters are not developed enough, which is particularly true for Kay, who seems to exist only to be sexy and "torment" Marc. [You might also be left with the sense that Kay is a bit out of Marc's league.] In other words, it's all been done before and done better. Even That Certain Summer, made forty years (!) earlier for American television, was more progressive. The acting is quite good, however. This got much more enthusiastic reactions than it deserved. If taken as a parable that shows how old-fashioned shame screws up a gay person's life it might have some resonance, but that may be giving it too much credit.
Verdict: Downbeat, rather regressive (however unintended), and a little pointless. **.
4 comments:
Hey, William, I've never even heard of this film..but your review makes me want to check it out, even though you didn't love it.
Hope your holidays are going smoothly!
Hope your holidays are going smoothly as well!
"Free Fall" may not be a great movie, but it could be argued that Max Riemelt is worth the price of admission!
Thanks for your comment!
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