Gruppenbild mit Dame

Was 1977 all that good a year and they could afford to brush under the carpet this terrific German movie with a major star, the ever imposing Romy Schneider, from a terrific director. See Petrovic's MASTER AND MARGUERITA to make that point.

The WW2 subject provides a vivid setting complete with a pre-digital bombing raid that looks very dangerous and very convincing and very expensive, demolishing a real city block. The performances and staging are superior and what a surprise to find a gaunt Brad Dourif fitting right in - is that his voice?

Classical music, Romy at her most dignified, rich European Eastmancolor - the whole calamity. Already I'm awash with nostalgia.

Well I didn't get it. nope, nada, nothing. I had to sit thru the dubbed German to English version "Group Portrait With A Lady". Overall sound quality was horrible but even ignoring that it just made no sense?! It begins at what looks like the 1970's but then blink your back in 1940's Nazi Germany then blink your back in the 70's (due to the lead character Lenni's normal hair in one scene and gray in the next?) I think it flashed back and forth the entire film. I was so confused i didn't know what the hell was happening. Big ole'waste of my time. Romy Schnieder was pretty though. I never heard of her so I looked her up - wow she was in a lot of films even Rowen and Martin's Laugh-in. Wonder what she did on that?. Maybe it makes better sense in German? 2 out of 10