Isi and Ossi are complete opposites; she's filthy rich and he struggles every day to keep afloat. But when they get together, they surprisingly work. The secondary characters are also really funny and kind of ridiculous which makes this a good movie to watch when you're feeling bored.
52 Reviews
Germany is not America
lossowitz9 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A basic Romeo and Juliet story about two teenagers from different sides of the river, who use each other for their own gains, but end up falling in love. A simple story, told many tomes before, but what's interesting are the values movie, that are opposite to that of a possible Anglosaxon version of the same story.
Germany has a fairly egalitarian society and attaches great importance to well-being as opposed to material gain, and that seeps through. The billionare parents of Isi are obsessed with her getting a college or university degree and oppose her wish to train as a chef at a prestigious course in New York, which of course would have seemed a wonderful idea to American billionaire parents. And Ossi, the working class boxer, needs the money not to buy flashy cars or clothes, but to pay of the loans his mother has taken out to invest in her gas station for an electric charging station. How frugal, environmentally conscious and sensible!
In an American version the uncouth boxer would have been taken to the billionaire world, playing the clash of civilisations in that atmosphere, where he would bring some swagger to be finally tamed and put in a suit. In this movie the billionare girl starts working in the run down burger bar, and learns to appreciate life with little money and not even ideals.
This accumulates in the moment when Isi confronts Ossi about his life, his lack of intellectual ambition, his dire circumstances. He replies: our relationship can never work, because I never felt my life as something of lesser value, but you make me feel that way.
And that makes the final point: his life is not of lesser value. The lack of money is a problem, but that's more of a societal problem of division and opportunity. (In the beginning is a scene where the fairly intelligent Ossi learns that in his school, on the wrong side of the tracks, he'll needs his fists more than his brains.) Money does not equal happiness nor personal development, circumstances do.
So Isi buys the burger bar and plans to work there, with Ossi following his boxing ambitions which are quite clearly nonsense. She wants to build up their life from the ground, and doesn't want to climb as high as her mother, who was of humble beginnings herself.
The side story of Ossi's granddad adapting to life outside of prison by becoming a rapper is hilarious, and deliciously politically incorrect. Both leads are charming and adequate, and the story has enough unexpected turns to avoid the cliches. Germany is not America, und das ist auch gut so.
Germany has a fairly egalitarian society and attaches great importance to well-being as opposed to material gain, and that seeps through. The billionare parents of Isi are obsessed with her getting a college or university degree and oppose her wish to train as a chef at a prestigious course in New York, which of course would have seemed a wonderful idea to American billionaire parents. And Ossi, the working class boxer, needs the money not to buy flashy cars or clothes, but to pay of the loans his mother has taken out to invest in her gas station for an electric charging station. How frugal, environmentally conscious and sensible!
In an American version the uncouth boxer would have been taken to the billionaire world, playing the clash of civilisations in that atmosphere, where he would bring some swagger to be finally tamed and put in a suit. In this movie the billionare girl starts working in the run down burger bar, and learns to appreciate life with little money and not even ideals.
This accumulates in the moment when Isi confronts Ossi about his life, his lack of intellectual ambition, his dire circumstances. He replies: our relationship can never work, because I never felt my life as something of lesser value, but you make me feel that way.
And that makes the final point: his life is not of lesser value. The lack of money is a problem, but that's more of a societal problem of division and opportunity. (In the beginning is a scene where the fairly intelligent Ossi learns that in his school, on the wrong side of the tracks, he'll needs his fists more than his brains.) Money does not equal happiness nor personal development, circumstances do.
So Isi buys the burger bar and plans to work there, with Ossi following his boxing ambitions which are quite clearly nonsense. She wants to build up their life from the ground, and doesn't want to climb as high as her mother, who was of humble beginnings herself.
The side story of Ossi's granddad adapting to life outside of prison by becoming a rapper is hilarious, and deliciously politically incorrect. Both leads are charming and adequate, and the story has enough unexpected turns to avoid the cliches. Germany is not America, und das ist auch gut so.
Good for a lazy evening
anna_niezgodzka11 August 2020
It's fun to watch, if you're searching for something light. I know both Heidelberg and Mannheim so it was nice to see those cities depicted in the series.
Main characters are interesting enough to cheer for them, but it's not a masterpiece. I didn't like the ending,felt it was a bit off.
Immensely hilarious and timely.
Dev199914 February 2020
Isi & Ossi was one hell of an odd experience for me. In the first minutes I really wasn't sure whether I hate it or not. In my opinion it's hilarious for the absolute most part, and the characters somehow actually worked. The two leads in particular are perfect in here, and the dialogue as well as many of the lines are delightfully ridiculous. Also, it was pretty nice to see a movie set in a city I know, for a change. Heidelberg. That was cool. I think they did a solid job of making as much fun of it as possible. This, by the way, is the first German film to be greenlit by Netflix, and although I am sure many will dislike it, I surely had a ball watching it. I haven't laughed like that since Long Shot. Isi & Ossi is a rom-com and satire as well, much like it in that regard, yet very different. But it too is about two unlikely people maybe falling in love with each other. There's certainly some elements that if taken too seriously, or even literally, will ruin the movie for you. I never did and therefore enjoyed myself tremendously. The flick isn't perfect, some things could've been handled differently, but overall I'm a fan of it. And miraculously so, because I can understand some of the problems people will have. I'm sure I'll rewatch this thing sometime next year.
Not that bad
jordymadueno25 July 2020
I enjoyed it
majkenlindgren7 April 2020
The average German romcom
zippelflorian6 March 2021
I don't really know what to say about it. It was neither good nor bad. As a German I'm a bit confused about the praise of the American or International audience on netflix since I found nothing special about this movie but rather the average German romcom.
Especially that superfically "deep" and "socially critically" aspect of the movie is very typcial for German movies. There always has to be at least a bit of moralizing - no matter how little intelectually it is contributing - can't just make a comedy movie.
Again, it wasn't terrible either. I low-key enjoyed the Heidelberg/Mannheim clichees, since I live there myself. Nice visuals too. Some jokes were funny, a fair bit were pretty cringy.
Especially that superfically "deep" and "socially critically" aspect of the movie is very typcial for German movies. There always has to be at least a bit of moralizing - no matter how little intelectually it is contributing - can't just make a comedy movie.
Again, it wasn't terrible either. I low-key enjoyed the Heidelberg/Mannheim clichees, since I live there myself. Nice visuals too. Some jokes were funny, a fair bit were pretty cringy.
surprisingly good????
mdlnol16 February 2020
This movie was surprisingly entertaining. it's light and charming and the leads were adorable!!! definitely watch this if you're feeling bored and in need of some cliche romcom
PS: definitely better than 'to all the boys 2'
PS: definitely better than 'to all the boys 2'
Fun & Sensitive at the same time
layaleimdb6 September 2020
In this one Love takes two people with totally different lives and personalities but the same feelings for each other in the end.
I think the two leads did a great job in this. Especially in delivering their characters and how different they are.
The story is kinda new in the rom-com style. The dialogue is also kinda funny.
Plus I actually had some tears in the final scene where Isi arrives and supports him I thought his face was very expressive and the scene was emotional.
I think the two leads did a great job in this. Especially in delivering their characters and how different they are.
The story is kinda new in the rom-com style. The dialogue is also kinda funny.
Plus I actually had some tears in the final scene where Isi arrives and supports him I thought his face was very expressive and the scene was emotional.
Light and Surprisingly Entertaining
kysollesta16 February 2020
I was bored so I took the chance. I tried to watch To all the boys I loved before part 2 the other night and that was a DNF for me, maybe because there were too many unnecessary scenes that made me give up on it halfway. But this.... this was something that I needed fast paced, just right and even if the trope is a very well used trope for romance the movie still surprised me every turn. The trailer didn't reveal too much which was great, also the acting was Brill and it all felt like it was made with much love from everyone. I would definitely recommend if you wanted to watch a cheer-me-up movie.
Love & Hate just a thin line
ks-6050018 February 2020
For a comedy, I feel it's good enough. At least quite funny for some scenes and not bored to watch. But can tell it won't works at the end. Even married will get divorce for sure. But youth love is like this, impulsive and reckless.
Poorly writtten, not funny at all
brennaus26 February 2020
I was quite eagerly expecting this movie, it's Netflix' first German movie (i.e. produced by Netflix, not bought). Directed and written by Oliver Kienle, one of the writers of "Bad Banks" (German television's excellent drama series on the banking crisis), it sounded quite promising.
The story draws its tension from two German neighbouring cities--Heidelberg and Mannheim. While Heidelberg is nice and mostly middle class, Mannheim is a blue collar city. Isi is a girl from Heidelberg, having incredible wealthy parents, living in a castle. She graduated from High School (with the help of some bribery from her parents) and does not want to study economics (as her parents want her to do) but rather go to New York to become a chef. In order to force her parents letting her go abroad, she picks up a proletarian boy from neighbouring Mannheim--aspiring boxer Ossi--pretending him to be her boyfriend.
Well, if this premise sounds as if it doesn't make much sense or if you ask yourself who nowadays is living in a castle, those are the more credible parts of this movie. Every single person in this movie is heavily clichéd, the dialogues unnatural and the jokes lame.
Surprisingly, taking the director's background into account, the story is very poorly written. I did not care for any of the characters nor the love story (mild spoiler: yes, they do actually fall in love).
Overall, quite a disappointment.
IRRREVERENT BUT MAGICAL!!!!
juanmargetts15 February 2020
Just finished watching this movie. I really do not know how to describe it. Irreverent? funny as hell? Mockery of all the rich people? If you are German, or in love with the German culture and history, like me, you will truly enjoy this movie.
Watch out for the great love story and for a character than stands out!! You will know!!!
I just wanted to watch a rom com but this movie is good
chrisanthimusic-155945 March 2023
This movie is pretty good actually, i just wanted to watch a rom com because im a lot of stressed lately but i found out a really underestimated movie. I watch some really depressing movies right now so i wanted to take a break from all of the sadness and I literally just googled "teen rom coms netflix". The movie in the beginning is a little slow paced but as time passes i found myself hooked in the plot. Apart from some hilarious dialogues ( I actually laughed out loud at times) this movie shows how two really different people can feel attraction to each other and the importance to follow out dreams.
Dubbing took away from story...
mefreeburg7790418 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The dubbing took away from the story. (BTW: the dubbing and closed captions don't match.) This movie is German, set and shot in Germany and acted like by mostly German actors. The US version was dubbed with American voices and the script was changed in some parts to act like it took place in the US. Case in point, the tax agency was referred to as "the IRS". Americans are smart enough to know the difference between German and US tax agencies. Just little things like this was kinda annoying and took away from the story. Otherwise it was well acted and it was a cute movie. Overall I enjoyed the storyline.
That's not how the boxing happens
davidiancudvd13 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Normally, I would.give this a 7 but given the stupid ending I can only give it a 6. The story was nice, we all knew that they gonna be together in the end but there were some funny stories, the movie didn't promote any political agenda, unlike many other Netflix movies, and somehow the end was unexpected because Issi didn't choose to go to New York, after all. However, the ending was plain stupid - it just does not happen like this, Ossi was almost KO and he suddenly comes back and KO his opponent only because Issi wants to be with him. I know, stupid. A better ending would be to loose the fight and realise that a boxing career may not be his best option.
Lighthearted and entertaining
blebbe2 October 2021
I was surprised that I liked it. It was entertaining and great for people like me who are trying to learn German. If you're looking for something lighthearted, fun and entertaining, then this is definitely worth a watch.
Best Funny movie for 2020
funny-2404919 February 2020
German *8 STARS*, Netflix English Dub *2 STARS*
cruzarts-7394611 April 2020
This is a fun take on cute kids from opposite sides of the tracks who find each other and symbiotic love. The characters are oddballs, but not quirky without cause. It's well-cast and production values are very good.
It's a shame that the default position of Netflix is to produce inferior English dubs and only offer that. Even the adorable leads cannot overcome the truly crappy dub that sounds like a 60s effort. What's more egregious is that the subtitles are truer to the German language and don't match with the English dub dialogue. Netflix did a great job ruining this film.
It's a shame that the default position of Netflix is to produce inferior English dubs and only offer that. Even the adorable leads cannot overcome the truly crappy dub that sounds like a 60s effort. What's more egregious is that the subtitles are truer to the German language and don't match with the English dub dialogue. Netflix did a great job ruining this film.
Fresh feeling, well-acted Romcom (and well dubbed - for those of us who are less German)
richard-fieldhouse22 February 2020
In all honesty, a romcom depends more on the lead actors and the chemistry between them than it does on having an innovative plot. That's lucky in this case, because we do have good leads while we don't have a particularly original plot.
Isi (Lisa Vicari) is daughter to obscenely wealthy parents and in particular a domineering mother, played by Christina Hecke. Lisa was apparently in The Dark (also on Netflix). To be honest, I don't remember her from that, but I can tell you that this film is much better. Isi's mother would like her to go to university while Isi herself wants to do a cookery course. She crosses the tracks - or in this case the river - to get a rebellious job in a burger bar and pick up "a bit of rough" in a slightly unlikely plan to encourage her parents to pay for her course.
The first bit of rough she casts eyes upon is Ossi, a would be boxer played by Dennis Mojen. You shouldn't have much trouble filling out the rest of the plot from here, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for with a lightness of spirit and touches refreshing humour.
Isi's Obligatory Confidante (OC) is Camilla Victoria Maria Patricia Mercedes Sissi Marion Phillipp Béatrice Abelina Andresen - a character boasting more names than brain cells. While Ossi has an ODC (Obligatory Diversity Confidante), Tschünni, whose story, it seemed to me, did quite a good, if rather superficial, job of presenting the pressures facing today's German immigrants.
Both of the main English dubbing actors get a name check on IMDB and that's justified as they were very convincing and you really can forget that the movie is even dubbed at all. There were little flaws if you look for them but not significant enough to detract from a solid 8/10.
Isi (Lisa Vicari) is daughter to obscenely wealthy parents and in particular a domineering mother, played by Christina Hecke. Lisa was apparently in The Dark (also on Netflix). To be honest, I don't remember her from that, but I can tell you that this film is much better. Isi's mother would like her to go to university while Isi herself wants to do a cookery course. She crosses the tracks - or in this case the river - to get a rebellious job in a burger bar and pick up "a bit of rough" in a slightly unlikely plan to encourage her parents to pay for her course.
The first bit of rough she casts eyes upon is Ossi, a would be boxer played by Dennis Mojen. You shouldn't have much trouble filling out the rest of the plot from here, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for with a lightness of spirit and touches refreshing humour.
Isi's Obligatory Confidante (OC) is Camilla Victoria Maria Patricia Mercedes Sissi Marion Phillipp Béatrice Abelina Andresen - a character boasting more names than brain cells. While Ossi has an ODC (Obligatory Diversity Confidante), Tschünni, whose story, it seemed to me, did quite a good, if rather superficial, job of presenting the pressures facing today's German immigrants.
Both of the main English dubbing actors get a name check on IMDB and that's justified as they were very convincing and you really can forget that the movie is even dubbed at all. There were little flaws if you look for them but not significant enough to detract from a solid 8/10.
terribile stupid and superficial
vrbajas20 February 2020
Best movie I've seen on Netflix lately!
irem-881547 March 2020
This is the movie I didn't even know I need that much. I've watched it more than 5 times just in 2 days. Dennis and Lisa's chemistry was awesome. There was a real harmony between them. I enjoyed the every second of movie. I laughed so hard at Ossi's grandpa's scenes. I have to say this is the best movie I've seen on Netflix lately. I need Part 2. I wish Netflix turn this movie into a serie. It would made me so happy.
Appalling!
sofiairribarra26 April 2020
In this film everything is wrong, starting with the most serious thing in my opinion: the normalization of violent behavior on the part of your partner. The film is based on a toxic relationship in which Ossi relieves his anger by psychologically and physically mistreating Isi, something that should not happen in any type of relationship (loving, friendly, family, etc.).
The romanticization of violence falls into ridiculousness.
It just seems to me to be a very macho and dangerous movie, since a person may come to believe that the acts of mistreating your partner are okay.
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