Wir sind die Neuen (2014) Reviews

• Entertaining but far-fetched feel-good comedy

  IndustriousAngel2015-03-01

  A competent comedy about three 60ish ex-flatmates who decide to try it once more - every one of them at the moment single in life and not too well off money-wise. The story takes place in Munich, where room prices really are ridiculous for German standards, so there's a very realistic background to the whole story. Sadly, realism gets quickly thrown out the window to provide a base to the forced story. This starts with the premise - Anne is thrown out and in need of a place, but neither Eddi nor Johannes, her ex-flatmates, are in acute need of a new flat. And once they move into their new place, they instantly get in conflict with the three kids from the floor above who are a kind of Stepford students. Now, while it's true that today's students are much more focused and less easy-going than in the 70s and 80s, they are also extremely well-behaved as a rule - so, even if they were complete assholes, they would not show it, at least not upon first meeting. The whole conflict seems very forced, and is really unnecessary because the "story" (a growing-together) would work just as well with the usual generation differences, only minus some cheap laughs. It's also unfair to the young actors ... the 60ish group has some very nice scenes, but the students don't get much to do except be as offensive and/or stupid as possible - which in many scenes doesn't make any sense, and really gives the actors not much to work with. Overall, a fast-paced, and well-acted (the oldies) comedy with some truth in it, but it might have been far better (and more touching) with a less sledgehammer approach.

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• Not that new, but actually good

  kosmasp2014-12-31

  The role reversing thing is not really new (still refreshing to see), but it does work. The older cast is been given great characters to play with. We may not have big Hollywood moments in this and it might feel awkward at places, but it works in its favor rather than against it. The generation clash is something to cherish. Obviously not everyone of the age group is like the ones depicted here, but for story purposes and for our "heroes" to find themselves its important. There are story strands that are left a bit on the side (some completely stranded), but that's OK. Not everything needs a payoff. That might not be to everyones liking, but the overall story does work like that. Good acting in a good story. Not laugh out loud, more a drama, but still has more than a few funny moments (that feel real)

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• Reversed role patterns in this German comedy

  Horst_In_Translation2014-10-17

  The cast of this motion picture makes it a decent watch for younger and older audiences. We have 3 actors around 60 and a trio of actors around 30. If you were very precise, you could probably say that the older ones are the real core of the film due to the beginning, but it is almost equal. I was not really familiar with Michael Wittenborn, probably because he has been mostly in small screen films and series, but he shines here, possibly my favorite performance and he does not have to hide behind the possibly bigger names of Lauterbach and Schneeberger, who I know from her work with the late Dieter Pfaff. What got me most into this film is director Ralf Westhoff though. His earlier work "Shoppen" is possibly my favorite German comedy of all time and even if I cannot say "Wir sind die Neuen" came close to that, it was still an entertaining 1.5 hours. The trio of old people move in in the apartment above the younger ones and it's basically a switch of roles from the start. The older ones party, drink and hear loud music, while the younger ones just want their peace in order to study for university. The younger ones tell the older ones when to clean the stairwell. The older ones refuse. The younger ones struggle physically with their backs, the older ones go jogging and play Frisbee. The younger ones have pictures on their shoe cabinet which pair belongs where. That says it all. Of course, in the end, the two groups manage to solve their struggles as the older ones help the younger ones with their studies, health and relationships. Not too surprising, is it? Finally each of the elderly mentored a younger character. My favorite pair were Eisinger and Wittenborn. Personally I thought, the comedy was the best part of this film. Every time it got more serious (with the exception of the beginning when Schneeberger's character asks other to move in with her), I would not say it falls apart, but it is just not as good. The struggles between Wittenborn's and Lauterbach's characters or especially the illness of Lauterbach's character thrown in near the end did nothing for me. The ending did not really blow me away either. And another minor criticism, one scene I really did not like was when they destroyed all those sheets of paper, the lifetime work of Wittenborn's character. I can't believe that did not bother him and he just joined in fully after short hesitation. But these minor issues I had with the film should not take away from anything earlier. I certainly recommend this movie to those who are interested in German cinema and, as I described earlier, this is truly a movie for all generations, one you could for example watch with your grandparents if you are in the mood for something lighter.

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