I discovered this film ("Falsche Bewegung") by Wim Wenders somehow or other because it
was described as being a “loose” adaptation of a Goethe novel (Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship). As far as I can tell, the adaptation is quite
“loose.” I’ve watched it twice now and
just realized that I could watch it again, with Wender’s commentary turned on. But I don’t think I could bear to do that, at
least for another month or two. I did
listen to the first few minutes of the commentary. Wenders apparently titled the film “Wrong
Move” because he decided that the idea of going on a journey to find yourself
(the novel was one of the first Bildungsroman)
was basically misguided.
The first time through the film, I had to stop after
thirty minutes. This looked like one of
those European art films where people spend long stretches staring into space
and not talking to one another; and in fact it is. This film would never work as a commercially
released American film. It might not
even work as an American art film. But I
watched the last hour and a quarter in one sitting and enjoyed it; and watched
the entire film again the following evening.
I haven’t read Goethe’s novel; the online synopsis
looks pretty intimidating; but I can see some similarities between it and the
film. You have two men who want to
become writers. You have two women.
Now I’m curious what Goethe would make of the film. Might have a few too many silent stretches
for him (he was, among things, a dramatist).
But it’s interesting, and I recommend it. Just be prepared for those long silent
stretches—and little background music.
And it’s in German…with subtitles.
