Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Agnes and His Brothers" is a German movie from over 10 years ago that runs for almost 2 hours and was written and directed by Oskar Roehler, still among Germany's most respected filmmakers these days. The lead actors in here are Martin Weiß, Moritz Bleibtreu and Herbert Knaup and the title is a reference to Weiß' transsexual character. I guess they really wanted to get this little joke in terms of "her"/"his" in here, even if the story does not warrant it. It's still mildly funny, so the title is not a complete failure. However, I have not measured it, but I am fairly certain that Agnes was the one from the trio that had less screen time than the other 2. And also in terms of memorability, Agnes is not the winner here. It certainly is Bleibtreu. He has been among Germany's most famous actors for a long time already, over 15 years I guess, and I have not always been too happy with his performances. Here, however, he is easily the best thing about this movie. His character was so well-written and he totally nails the part. It is actually pretty sad, but because of how accurate everything seems about him it even put a smile on my lips.Apart from the lead trio, there are also a couple famous supporting actors in here, such as Tom Schilling, Martin Semmelrogge, Til Schweiger in a cameo etc. Katja Riemann won a German Film Award for her turn here, which truly baffles me as I saw nothing outstanding about her character or performance. Also included is Lee Daniels, the director from "precious" and "The Butler" and I really did not expect him in here the first time I saw this. So random. Today was the second time I watched this movie and I enjoyed it again. Real greatness is missing if we look past Bleibtreu's scenes and I did not really like the ending either, but as a whole it was still a good watch. Recommended and I wonder why Weiß stopped being in films a long time ago, while the 2 actors who play his character's brothers are still incredibly relevant today.

t_atzmueller I was slightly surprised to see this rather mediocre German social-drama having reached the US video stores. Less surprising was that Moritz Bleibtreu was promoted as "star of 'Munich'" (which is true – he did have a 30 second appearance) and some critics witty line, "Freud filtered through Fassbinder". Ironically, the line is true: Fassbinder wasn't a particularly good or interesting director and Sigmund Freud's theories are rather outdated.The story revolves around the Tschirner clan, what, consisting of neurotic transsexuals, sex-addicts and paedophiles, all hidden behind the facade of an average middle-class German family.The dysfunctions within the family seem at all times beyond hope or redemption and none of the characters are remotely sympathetic, likable, even completely comprehensive (unless perhaps you're from a similar background, in which case you might not even want to watch this film in the first place). "Agnes and his brothers" simply isn't a pretty film nor is it a film that will leave you feeling better if you happen to watch it when you feel down. Most importantly: it doesn't tell us anything new.What can be said about the acting? Well, the main focal points of the film being Martin Weiss as Agnes and Moritz Bleibreu as his sex-addict brother, neither performance comes across as completely convincing. Especially Bleibtreu, at the time hailed as the new hope of German cinema, seems stuck with a limited repertoire. Weiss on the other hand proves that he can convincingly wear a frock and woman's make-up – that doesn't make an actor but explains why this has remained his last appearance on the big screen (with the exception of the children's movie "Nick Knatterton").Herbert Knaup, playing the oldest brother Werner and member of the Green Party, still has the best part in the movie – although the scene where he, in a grand-gesture, defecates on a piece of paper and ceremoniously carries his "product" away, seems to say more about this type of movie making than about his own schizophrenic behaviour.As said, if you're looking for a film to drag you down or tell you time and again about the rotten times we leave and if you're looking for the most sanctimonious endings in recent European cinema, this may be for you.

becomesaloop hmm... so surely someone who has fully trangendered wouldn't still be sporting a 'five o'clock shadow' under their thin layer of foundation... and of course it is also the transgendered character in the film who must die at the end... (you go girl... just don't live past the last frame)... tiresome... but perhaps this equates more to a comment or a quip than a film review... it could have had so much more power and bite especially in fassbinders (possibly the original source material for this film?) hands... a handsome cast of good actors in what felt like surface flash/titillation... and just enough 'get your freak on' quirks and a pastel/pop colour schematic tacked onto a copycat almodovar wanna be sensibility... ughh!

edchin2006 So many films are just "over the top" that it's refreshing to see one that has such a real "feel" to it.I liked the cuts and transitions which interweave the lives of the brothers. The blending of three very different lives and personalities complete a fascinating portrait of a family. In a way it might have been "3 brothers and their father". (His character was not developed, but the three brothers' relationship to him made him a central figure.) That there is something dysfunctional within the film could be inferred from the title, but that does not imply anything interesting nor worthwhile in the film. Happily, it is interesting and fascinating.I don't know if all dysfunctional families are interesting, but this one certainly is. Possibly, it is because the characters are so well developed that we can empathize with them. All in all - quite enjoyable.