Review of Cloud 9

Cloud 9 (2008)
Cloud 9
2 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The film poses the question : what do we do when we can the chance of some happiness, and someone else may be hurt as a result? Ignore it if it makes us feel guilty, or give into it and accept that there will be a price to pay. And it is a good question as happiness is such an elusive quality. Igne has been with ( and presumably married to) Werner for some thirty years. They are fond of it each other, content with each other, but their relationship is dull, maybe always was. He loves trains, likes watching film of trains, travelling on them, reading about them, telling their grandchildren about trains, a man obsessed. Meanwhile Inge unexpectedly feels a strong attraction to Karl and for the first time, late in life, and goes off Werner's rails. She is torn ( "I didn't want this"), still fond of Werner, but drawn to Karl. She confides in her daughter Petra who is glad her mother is happy, who tells her to say nothing to Werner. But Inge cares so much for him, she tells him. It is a truly remarkable performance from Ursula Werner. The scene when she learns of the death of Werner is wonderfully moving. The direction is excellent and subtle. I liked the scene of the morning after she tells Werner and the camera is static as she walks around their flat not knowing whether to disturb him, finally knocking on his bedroom to find (we presume) he has gone out. She no longer knows what he is doing. And the scene at the funeral where Inge is frozen with true grief as people line up to formally comfort with. It is a very "real" film. All the actors distinguish themselves. I found this film compelling from the beginning to the end. It is genuine, heartfelt. The question is impossible to answer but I felt sympathy for the plight of Inge. We do the best we can. Time spent watching this film is not time wasted.
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