Toni Erdmann

After a hard day’s work on the house, David and I went to see not one but TWO films at Queen’s Film Theatre. The first, referenced above, was a German comedy about a man in his early 60s, I’m guessing, trying to connect with his daughter, a consultant based in Bucharest. He jokes that he’s hired a substitute daughter because he never sees his own. She’s a workaholic whose morals have been set aside as she climbs the corporate ladder. Her life is empty and it is painful to watch her father watch her debase herself to get ahead. While it doesn’t sound like a comedy, some of the scenes are side splittingly funny. I really can’t say enough to recommend the film. It is long so, if you have the privilege of seeing it, just sit back and know that you are in the hands of a genius film maker who will give you much to savour when you later recall some of its genius scenes.

The second film, Trespass Against Us, was about a family in the Travellers community (the modern term for gypsies). It is a dark film and is mainly distinguished by the acting of its stars, Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson.

Thus ends my quickie film reviews. A.O. Scott I am not.
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