298: Goodbye Lenin!

The destruction of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany is often seen for cause for celebration. It has recently just been the 20th anniversary of the moment the Wall fell and to celebrate we saw Bono parading on the border of East and West Berlin commemorating what is seen by most of the world to be a joyous occasion. It is this celebratory discourse that surrounds the falling of the Berlin Wall that makes it so surprising to watch a film with undertones of loss and sadness regarding this event.

Goodbye Lenin! details the events shortly before, during and after the Berlin Wall is toppled and how this affects one East German family and their neighbourhood. The central family of the piece is the main source for drama and tragedy in the film as all of them have wildly varying opinions on the Socialist rule of Eastern Berlin. As one character falls into a coma before the Berlin Wall falls and the reunification of Germany only to wake up in 1990 in such a frail condition that this news could cause them to fall once again into a coma.

Goodbye Lenin! deals with so many contemporary issues and is influenced by so many genres that it is hard to know where to begin. Goodbye Lenin! is part euthanasia drama, part slapstick comedy, part family observation, a sprinkling of East/West awkwardness with a big Red Socialist Cherry on top. The film is catergorised as a tragicomedy but in many ways it feels like so much more than that simply due to the sheer scope of the issues it deals with. There are moments of real comedy in Goodbye Lenin! but this is comedy with a comment, the film is in the same vein as Juno or Little Miss Sunshine which are comedies, that comment on teenage pregnancy or the sexualisation of 8 year olds.

The film benefits from it's wickedly written script, the variety of characters and the opinions they all have make Goodbye Lenin! very sharp and very engaging. The central family unit remains at the heart of the film whilst incorporating mad and bizzarre characters that can be found in any society, not just the newly formed Germany. At no point does the film drag with a "worthy" message or get bogged down in the heavy issues. This is a very concise, well edited film that ensures you walk away thinking of quirky little scenes about the difference between pickle brands or moments of tragedy, rather than the long winded, depressing film Goodbye Lenin! could very easily have become.

As a comedy Goodbye Lenin! is bright and original, as a drama it is poignant and thought provoking. Even with the important issues that surround the film and the slightly long viewing time for a comedy, Goodbye Lenin! is a breeze for anyone to watch and when considering everything this film incorporates and the fact that it is in German with subtitles, this makes Goodbye Lenin! a triumph.