Whiskey with Vodka (2009) User Reviews

an offbeat and gentle comedy

[gregking4 · 5/10 · 17 April 2010]

This is an offbeat and gentle comedy about the politics and backstage, behind the scenes chaos of making a movie. Whisky With Vodka explores familiar territory that has been explored numerous times before. Henry Hubchen plays Otto, an aging, narcissistic, insecure and alcoholic actor who is making what may well be his last movie because of his reputation for on set shenanigans and unreliability. The film's director Martin (Sylvester Groth) grows increasingly exasperated by his star's antics and improvisations that continually ruin each take. The producers of the film don't trust Otto either, and have hired a younger understudy to shoot alternate scenes as a backup. The rivalry between the two as they try to upstage one another adds to some of the subtle pleasures of this diverting little film. There's also plenty of bed-hopping, and the off screen antics of the actors parallel that of Tango For Three, the fictitious movie they are making. This is the second collaboration between prolific German director Andreas Dresen (Summer In Berlin, etc) and writer Wolfgang Kohlhasse. Dresen aims for a jaunty mood here, but his direction is a little laboured at times. We've seen this kind of back-handed slap in the face for the film industry before, and while it is reminiscent of the classic Day For Night, Whisky With Vodka adds little that is particularly new or original to the sub-genre

It's a movie

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 29 November 2010]

Actually it's two movies (sort of), but you will get that if you watch it or read the general description of the plot. But having two things going on isn't always a good thing. And having this look behind the scenes is intriguing, but can also be very disturbing at times. The actors are pretty good and if you are into filmmaking or have a liking for it, than some situations will bring a smile on your face. But unfortunately there should be more to a movie.

The ending is rather good, but then again you have to watch the whole movie to experience that. It's not a bad "trip", but it is not something that many people will enjoy/endure (is my guess).

Alcoholism, ageism and a stellar lead performance

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 28 January 2015]

"Whisky mit Wodka" is a 2009 movie by Andreas Dresen, one of (East) Germany's most known and most honored director's these days. It scored nominations for its script and lead actor Henry Hübchen at the German Film Awards that year. He plays an actor who is fairly difficult to work with, be it because he is jealous at his colleagues or drunk during shootings and thus a menace for his director. Of course, I am writing about the character here, not about Hübchen himself. It's a film on film, somehow a behind the scenes documentary even. On the other hand, the character is also somewhat admired because of his great past. The action in the movie in the movie is similar to the real fate of Hübchen's character. He's aging and in danger of being replaces by a younger colleague. So he starts an affair with a much younger woman, probably also to strengthen his ego as his younger colleague is also very interested in her.

Alcoholism is one of the major aspects of the movie. You won't hear about it for a while, but then again it returns. There's significant scenes with the central character being drunk at the start, the middle and the end of the film. Hübchen is the heart and soul of the movie, but also the supporting performances were all good, especially Sylvester Groth as Martin Telleck, the director who has to deal with his infant terrible protagonist. This film never achieved greatness, but during its roughly 100 minutes it also never felt bad. It's hard to come up with valid criticism. I personally did not really like the inclusion of the main character's father, which did not really add much for me. Or near the ending the scene in which the sacked alternative to Hübchen's character suddenly kissed the director's wife. The best scenes were maybe when Hübchen's and Hering's characters talked to each other, especially in their costumes with Hübchen always coming off a bit as an evil twin brother.

There is quite some irony that the central character in the movie they are making gets killed right after Hübchen's competitor was sacked, so he could have this very baity scene all for himself. "Whisky mit Wodka" is certainly not a film for the broad masses, but those who enjoy German cinema may have a good time watching this. Recommended.