Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Forest for the Trees

This film is an independent film. It was filmed in Germany so, obviously, it was spoken in German. It is about Melanie a teacher who is just starting her first job. She teaches several different grades and has no friends in the community to talk with.




She has a difficult time controlling her classes and the teachers talk about her behind her back. In search for a friend, Melanie goes to a clothing store and talks with the lady who helps her. She finds they are neighbors and they become friends.


However, as time progresses, Melanie becomes somewhat suffocating to her new friend Tina. Melanie is constantly calling her and asking her what she's doing and if they can do something together.

Melanie invites herself to Tina's parties and eventually starts to invade her personal life. Meanwhile, Melanie still cannot control her classes and she seems ever more frazzled while working. She even begins to exclude herself by eating her lunch in a closet.


Melanie feels such a complete lonliness that she begins to suspect that Tina doesn't like her. She follows her around from place to place so as to keep an eye on her.

Eventually, Tina becomes fed up with Melanie and tells her to leave her alone. This crushes Melanie, but she finds that she doesn't need Tina and that everything will be ok in the end.

The movie closes with Melanie sitting in the backseat of her car. She is supposed to be driving. One is left with the question of whether she survives or not.

This film's genre is independent. All-in-all I thought it was a weird movie. It had a feeling of awkwardness throughout the whole thing. For me, I found that Melanie was a rather disturbing character. She had a stalker feel to her, although she might not have realized what she was doing.

I give this film a 5/10 mostly for creativity.

My scale is set up thusly:
10-Best movie I've ever seen
9-Amazingly good
8-Definitely recommended
7-Decent
6-Worth watching
5-Average
4-Fine
3-Boring or uninteresting
2-idea is overdone, too common
1-Terrible, don't waste your time

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