Horst_In_Translation Review of Du bist nicht allein

Du bist nicht allein (2007)

The Prahl story line delivers, the rest not that much

[6/10 · 5 September 2018]

"Du bist nicht allein", literally translated "You Are Not Alone", is a German 90-minute movie from 2007, so this one is already over 10 years old and it was written and directed by Bernd Böhlich, who is mostly known for his many collaborations on Krause films with Horst Krause, but has also worked with Katharina Thalbach on other occasions for example and she plays one of the key figures in this film we have here. But the most interesting character is played by Tatort's Axel Prahl in my opinion. He is a man stuck in a marriage with a woman he apparently does not love anymore and he keeps falling for a younger new Russian neighbor who he enjoys spending time with. But are the feelings mutual? Watch for yourself. Also there is a story in here involving another couple, namely a physicist who lost his job and his voice acting wife. Prefession and unemployment are key aspects in here and Thalbach's character is the best example, the new job she got working as a security guard to something she did not exactly expect the way it turned out eventually. The only one where the work life is not in the center of it all is Prahl's character really, but then again to some extent it is because his long time as an unemployed has turned him, his marriage and eventually his life into what it is. What I liked about the film is that it feels really authentic and you have the impression that you are watching actually existing people, which is due to the script and the good performances by the actors. Nonetheless, a bit surprised to see Knaup being the only one who got in with the German Film Awards and I guess it was because of the meltdown scene at the unemployment office because he really did not have that much to work with except that scene. But he was good, so it's all fine I guess. And the stories in here were good enough too I think thanks to the charisma and talent of the performers. A film does not really have to be 100% in your face, constantly shocking. It can also be quietly convincing and this one here is most of the time. Yeah, nothing truly stands out where I would say this factor or performance catapults it into the best of 2007, but it is probably among the better, maybe best, films Germany has to offer from the year 2007 and I recommend checking it out, especially if you like Prahl just like I do. Also the topic of (un)employment was far more relevant back then here in Germany it feels, which is a bit of a shame as in the face of the refugee crisis right now, this important subject has really turned more into oblivion than it should have with those in charge using cheap tricks to reduce unemployment figures, which is a heavy scandal here in Germany, but yeah now we are moving too far away from the film. I liked it. Go see it I'd say. It's funny, sad and interesting.