The Man on the Other Side has a few things going for it, and many working against it. Among the positives, first is the great performance by Mari Bensel, in a challenging role. Another strong point is the inherent believability of the genaral plot lines and set up of the film, namely the seduction of a secretary to steal state secrets. This was quite common in the Cold War and there are some very famous true cases on which this could be based. And finally, the rapid plot changes, taut pace and short length (less than 90 minutes) are a real plus, as the action moves swiftly, and scenes are not belabored. Otherwise, the film suffers a lot from some simple things that strain credulity, such as the impossibility for a two finger typist to become the secretary of a minister or vice minister, or the preposterous scenes in which this untrained, female secretary beats a professional male spy TWICE in hand-to-hand combat and using THE SAME TECHNIQUE each time ! Although the film's cinematography is good quality, the scenes are shot mostly in interiors (probably and understandably for budgetary reasons) and this becomes a bit boring and claustrophobic after a while; if it was a stylistic choice by the director, it was the wrong one !
8 Reviews
Too many holes....
screenwriter-972-1496127 April 2022
I'd love to rate this higher. Mari Bensel is captivating and easily the best part of the film. Hard to believe that her character thinks of herself as 'plain'. She's anything but. The camera work is good, and the acting is fine all around. The choice of a love interest for Ms. Bensel may leave viewers shaking their heads though. She and her lover make the oddest-looking odd couple the screen as seen in a long, long time. There are some good things in this film. Alas, both the plot and the plot devices aren't among them.
While the set-up that leads to the action is understandable and, perhaps, even believable, from then on anyone over the age of three can tell what's really going on and how it will play out. It's that obvious. Oh, and the plot holes.... too numerous to mention (for a spy movie, it seems the dumbest spies in the world were chosen to tell their tale) reduce the potential tension in the film to a whole lot of 'hey, what about???' moments. The worst part? The 'McGuffin', the reason or driving force behind all the action, is left in the wrong hands for any kind of resolution.
Enjoyed Mari Bensel from start to finish, but this film strained credibility way too many times.
While the set-up that leads to the action is understandable and, perhaps, even believable, from then on anyone over the age of three can tell what's really going on and how it will play out. It's that obvious. Oh, and the plot holes.... too numerous to mention (for a spy movie, it seems the dumbest spies in the world were chosen to tell their tale) reduce the potential tension in the film to a whole lot of 'hey, what about???' moments. The worst part? The 'McGuffin', the reason or driving force behind all the action, is left in the wrong hands for any kind of resolution.
Enjoyed Mari Bensel from start to finish, but this film strained credibility way too many times.
Okay for a low-budget production
supermellowcali17 November 2021
Not a bad story but not unique. I have to remove a few points: one for being predictable; one for poor action sequences (not much action- the story didn't need it); one for incompetent bad guy moving in slow motion; one for incompetent and protagonist (the very tired cliché of failing to take advantage of the bad guy being stunned... for the love of God, take his gun while he's knocked out); and one for a careless ending and pretending there was a surprise.
Sophie's Choice
lavatch15 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"The Man on the Other Side" vividly recreates the paranoia of the Cold War, as apparent in the great divide between West and East Germany that lasted for nearly half a century.
Told from the perspective of an ordinary secretary, the film makes it clear that all of the actions of Sophie Zimmermann have consequences. Early in the film, she is not merely typing, but is reading classified reports.
Then, she becomes romantically involved with a man who turns out to be a double agent. This leads to Sophie's harrowing ordeal in captivity and the strange association that unfolds with another captive, an Englishman.
Sophie is fascinated by her lover Dieter's work with microdots. But her choice is to be more than an observer as she fiddles with the dot and ultimately finds a clever hiding place for it. Ultimately, Sophie was wittingly playing a dangerous game.
It was unfortunate that the film was crudely made with dialogue that did not provide sufficient exposition to understand the Cold War in the year 1974. The ending was especially disappointing in the failure to tie up the film's loose ends.
Miss Zimmermann was a fascinating protagonist. But one has to wonder about the wisdom of Sophie's choice.
Told from the perspective of an ordinary secretary, the film makes it clear that all of the actions of Sophie Zimmermann have consequences. Early in the film, she is not merely typing, but is reading classified reports.
Then, she becomes romantically involved with a man who turns out to be a double agent. This leads to Sophie's harrowing ordeal in captivity and the strange association that unfolds with another captive, an Englishman.
Sophie is fascinated by her lover Dieter's work with microdots. But her choice is to be more than an observer as she fiddles with the dot and ultimately finds a clever hiding place for it. Ultimately, Sophie was wittingly playing a dangerous game.
It was unfortunate that the film was crudely made with dialogue that did not provide sufficient exposition to understand the Cold War in the year 1974. The ending was especially disappointing in the failure to tie up the film's loose ends.
Miss Zimmermann was a fascinating protagonist. But one has to wonder about the wisdom of Sophie's choice.
Predictable and way too low-key
dierregi22 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Should have been titled "I love Dieter". I understand that this is a small-budget production and a small story about a Sophie, a secretary turned into spying for love, but despite the decent performance of the actors involved, it feels more like a doomed love story with a background of spying than a Cold War spy story.
Besides, it is quite clear from the setting that the Englishman is none too clean himself... just as Sophie should get some info out of him, he could be planted next door to do the same. If it wasn't clear enough, several frames show him in a sinister light and you can add all that stuff about women being too ready to trust as a dead giveaway.
As mentioned, way too much lovey-dovey stuff between Sophie and Dieter, lack of tension, tired situations like hitting the bad guy only once instead of taking care of knocking him off for good and silly ending. Barely worth a watch.
Besides, it is quite clear from the setting that the Englishman is none too clean himself... just as Sophie should get some info out of him, he could be planted next door to do the same. If it wasn't clear enough, several frames show him in a sinister light and you can add all that stuff about women being too ready to trust as a dead giveaway.
As mentioned, way too much lovey-dovey stuff between Sophie and Dieter, lack of tension, tired situations like hitting the bad guy only once instead of taking care of knocking him off for good and silly ending. Barely worth a watch.
Don't trust anyone
neil-douglas20108 May 2022
I totally agree with two of the reviews of this film. Mari Bensel totally owns this movie as Sophie Zimmerman, the secretary embroiled in East/West espionage in the 70's. An easy way to hide the seventies setting is to set most of the film in one place, i.e a holding cell. The other leads are also good, just a shame you kind of knew what was going to happen. Sophie, trust nobody.
Love it
edmundpek8 February 2022
I was pleasantly surprised with the rich storyline this movie came with. It was unusual for an asian director to even attempt a spy genre, but he expertly injected the mental and emotional struggles of his characters amidst a trying dark time in that part of the world, that i yearned for more. A sequel on Sophie should be considered.
Look Here, Netflix!
dannynigaman8 February 2022
Why doesn't Netflix have this on their platform? It's the perfect film for their demographics. Spy Thriller, 80s style, Gritty.
Despite the low budget, the film has an intelligent story to tell about the Cold War between East and West Germany, and the emotional toil it inflicts on people. Far better than those big, loud, annoying action films.
The lead actress Mari Bensel carries the film with a strong, gutwrenching performance.
Scenes are set in limited places, but works well for the story they are telling. Good footage of gritty, industrialised East Germany.
Despite the low budget, the film has an intelligent story to tell about the Cold War between East and West Germany, and the emotional toil it inflicts on people. Far better than those big, loud, annoying action films.
The lead actress Mari Bensel carries the film with a strong, gutwrenching performance.
Scenes are set in limited places, but works well for the story they are telling. Good footage of gritty, industrialised East Germany.
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