Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Phillida
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Phillipa
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"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.
br-19
No, I didn't like it. There were some good scenes, but most of the story based on bad taste and unnecessarily spotlighted human squalor. (Just think of the episode with the dog-lover -- was this supposed to be funny?) Some of the actors were great -- Katja Riemann for example, or Moritz Bleibtreu, who was cast way out of character, but rather convincing. Anyway, the story didn't do -- I'm not even sure there was one. Director Roehler seems to be too angry with the world, The Family, and himself to tell a straightforward story or to cast any light of warmth on his characters. I left the theatre quite irritated and disgusted, but nothing to last long -- a day later all is forgotten. (3/10)
ciaranh
Having seen this film, I was left with the feeling that it betrayed its title. Although the acting was superb, the script or directing was lacking. This had to happen. Each of the three characters is the center of a separate story and each of these stories could have quite happily been a separate film. Agnes' story succeeds in being painful to watch, but I was lost because so little time given to Agnes' characterization. Agnes' fate begs the question: "Is there no happy ever after for Transexuals?" Of Course there is. But, it does not suit the tone of the film, which is a parody on middle class, liberal, left wing families.I can't see this being a fair answer to American Beauty as that film was quite mystical in nature and the main character was very well introduced and described.
cockaigne
...but quality. This movie is short in every meaning. The story is not a story but the attempt to shock in times where even kids cannot be shocked by almost nothing anymore. What we see is a collection of different scenes some of them pretty good some awfully bad.We follow three brothers (a politician, a sex maniac who feels inadequate and a sex changed) looking for happiness in their own tragedy of life and especially the tragedy in their interpersonal relationships. Reason for their being what they are is their dominating father who became - oh wonder - gay after he might have abused his sons in the past...So far so good but beside the fact that the story is partly stolen, the writer and director did not decided if he wanted to make a comedy or a drama. What he definitely wanted to do is art, and that is by far not enough to make a good movie. Some critics called it a comic strip, some a satire and others called it a contemporary image of the German Republic. And there are the ones like me who just call it a big waste of time and money.If you don't like Lynch, Fassbinder and Aldomovar just sent them a copy of the film so they can see how they have been imitated in a small minded way. I promise that they will suffer a lot. At the end of the movie an ex porno-model and the still-sex-maniac agreed to drive from Germany into the Iraq (by car) and help the people over there... I am pretty sure that the movie meant exactly this, no ironic to be found in this scene.
