Fabian: Going to the Dogs (2021) User Reviews

Different times

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 4 May 2022]

The movie does feel like it is not from this world. The way it begins, the way our main character "acts" ... it all feels so detached from reality. Of course that is intended and of course this playing almost one hundred years ago plays a major role too. Acting wise this is quite something - everyone involved is giving it their best.

You may still feel at least a little bit detached from whatever you are watching. This is not an easy movie to watch - add to that the exhausting running time, the relationships, the different goals and some seemingly aimless "goals" this seems to hunt down ... you'd be excused for being on the fence about it. It is art though and in art everything is possible. Also you may like it's narration style more than others - pacing "issues" for some may be the greatest way to tell the story for others ... if you have a lot of spare time and like it like that, give it a shot. It surely is not a bad movie.

an aimless story

[tacokorv69 · 6/10 · 20 October 2022]

It is a long movie (almost 3 hours) and it defiantly felt like it. The story in whole felt quite aimless. There was long parts of the movie where it felt like nothing particularly was going on.

However, I decide to watch the movie because it was taged as a romance and it actually delivered. The part when Tom Schilling and Saskia Rosendahl were falling in love was undeniably beautiful but only lasted for a very short moment, then a boring story continued. If you have watched Never Look Away then you will probably, during the falling love part, be very much reminded of the similarities. Personally, I think it was the highlight of the movie and to be compared to a masterpiece like Never Look Away is only positive. Though, the movie felt a little bit like a bad knockoff of Never Look Away.

The movie never made me care for the characters and thus I didn't really care what happened to them. At most I started to care about Fabian's friend Stephan but only slightly. And that was the problem with the movie it didn't evoke emotions even in the moments when you should care about the characters.

A decent adaptation of Kastner's masterful book

[saxondave-24066 · 10/10 · 27 August 2022]

Despite the somewhat odd and in some places minimalist cinematography, this movie is a true gem. It captures the atmosphere, at some places reminds me of Babylon Berlin (not a coincidence given the theme of the film). Tom Schilling and Saskia Rosendahl both shine here. I was very happy to see them again as co-stars after Florian Henckel von Donnermarck's masterpiece, Never Look Away (Werk Ohne Author). German cinema is truly something to discover, with many great actors and great movies. Despite the relatively long running time this film after getting used to the cinematography, instantly draws you in. This is art, and not for the mainstream lovers that's for sure but if you are into this kind of movies, you don't want to miss out on this one.

Germans dare explore their history

[Patrik_Johansson · 10/10 · 14 May 2022]

With so much allied disinformation and anti-German propaganda from the war, it's refreshing to see Germans diving into their own history. Of course still manipulated by the powers that be, but perhaps soon they date opening the Laterna Magica in full.

Stellar period piece indeed

[martinpersson97 · 10/10 · 22 October 2023]

This incredible drama is definitely one of the best of the year, adding some stellar period work, and showcasing some incredible performances by real actor legends.

The actors, as mentioned above, truly do a magnificent job, very much adding to the complexities and greatness of this film. All of this accompined, of course, by a stellar script.

The cinematography, cutting and editing is great. Very characteristic and beautifully put together.

Definitely an emotional, nicely put together and overall well made, exciting and dramatic piece.

Highly recommended for any lover of film, capturing the time period and drama very well!