"Rosa Luxemburg" is probably one of the most interesting and controversial characters in German history and here she gets her tribute movie. Initially, Rainer Werner Fassbinder was intended to make this one with Jane Fonda playing the title character, but as we all know he died prematurely and Margarete von Trotta took over with Helena Sukowa playing the main part. Both got a fair share of awards recognition (probably worked on several other projects together because of that) and the movie also won Best Film at the German Film Awards roughly 30 years ago. It was not the right decision I guess. I am not a great fan of Sukowa I must say, but she is bearable in here. I remember her being downright bad as Hannah Arendt recently, but in this much older work here, she is solid for the most part. She does not bring any greatness that could justify her awards for this work, not at all, but at least she kept herself from constantly going over the top, so that there were only a few cringeworthy moments involving her acting. But I also think, she does not prove she has particularly great range and this mediocre lead performance cost the film a lot as she is basically in every scene.
Then, you have to say in her favor that von Trotta's script isn't really up to the challenge either. There are good moments, but as a whole it simply is not enough for a movie that almost runs for 2 hours. This is particularly disappointing as Rosa Luxemburg really would have deserved a lead actress with more talent and consequently a movie with better quality. I guess we have to live with that for now. I may be a bit biased here as the years before 1933 in the 20th century, even as a German citizen, never felt that interesting to me as I hoped they would be, but I also need to state that this film here did not succeed in sparkling my interest. There were many moments during which the film dragged and it lacked consistency in convincing storytelling. The duo von Trotta / Sukowa is one that still has to impress me. This one not being as bad as the previously mentioned Hannah Arendt will not cut the cake. It is a missed opportunity and I do not recommend the watch.
Then, you have to say in her favor that von Trotta's script isn't really up to the challenge either. There are good moments, but as a whole it simply is not enough for a movie that almost runs for 2 hours. This is particularly disappointing as Rosa Luxemburg really would have deserved a lead actress with more talent and consequently a movie with better quality. I guess we have to live with that for now. I may be a bit biased here as the years before 1933 in the 20th century, even as a German citizen, never felt that interesting to me as I hoped they would be, but I also need to state that this film here did not succeed in sparkling my interest. There were many moments during which the film dragged and it lacked consistency in convincing storytelling. The duo von Trotta / Sukowa is one that still has to impress me. This one not being as bad as the previously mentioned Hannah Arendt will not cut the cake. It is a missed opportunity and I do not recommend the watch.