The White Ribbon

When someone recommends that you see a 2 hour and 24 minute, black and white, German film about a little village before WWI would you be interested? My guess many people wouldn't be. If the daunting running time doesn't scare people away, the fact that it is in Black and White and in German probably would. The film also contains some disturbing subject matter and images that may deter some potential viewers. But once you get past all that on the surface, this is one of the most beautiful films of the year. It is utterly mesmerizing, the black and white visuals are key to the films enjoyment. The film would really be awful with out the black and white. There is no music in the film which gives it an eerie quality. The acting is amazing, some performances are just so creepy they will stay with you hours after the completion of the film. When you go to see a film in which the first 2 minutes consist of a silent and slow credit sequence, it can give you a clue to what you are about to encounter. The film is made up of slow paced scenes but when the scenes are put together they make a film that isn't slow paced at all. It actually moves rather quickly. I did not find myself checking my watch or wondering when it was going to be over once during the movie (and some 90 minute films have me checking my watch). It is one of the best films I've seen in a very long time. I'm probably going to add it to my top of 2009 list. It is defiantly the best looking film I've seen that was released last year. This is the type of movie that people will look at in 100 years and still be as moved by it as I was, watching it in the theater. I'm still pondering what really happened in some parts of the movie, and what everything symbolized. It is a movie that leaves you will just as many questions as answers and it will give you something to talk and think about. I know it seems like a movie that may be unappealing to many but it is simply amazing.
The White Ribbon - 4 out of 4
-Zach