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Reacting to this film depends largely on your knowledge of Brecht. If you don't know that Brecht was Germany's greatest living playwright, was an impassioned advocate of Socialism, was the East German cultural icon bar none, then much of the symbolism and many of the allusions will pass you by. You will, in fact, wonder why the camera spends so long gawping at every twitch of a grumpy old man.
But this is a terrific character study, a probe into the life of a complex man who, ever intellectual, often disgruntled, always on fire, was to die three days after the story ends. Brecht's wife, who smokes nervously, is resigned to his assignations; his daughter drinks beer by day; Ruth, his ageing, discarded lover, is resentful and drunk ("I am an icon's whore" she snarls); Isot moves with ease from Brecht's bed to her husband's (he is a radical who wants Germany to break free of Moscow); and Käthe is a pretty young actor who is in awe of her mentor-lover.
Through motionless, meaningful shots, director Jan Schütte creates an impressive air of silent power which perfectly suits Josef Bierbichler, who fills out the playwright (with granite-faced introspection) in all his contradictions. During this one day in paradise (the sunshine is set against the troubles of the characters) we see a man who professes egalitarianism, but is ultra-authoritarian, a cultural god who commits himself to ideas, but not to people. Serious, emotional and very, very still.
In German with English subtitles.
