Customer Reviews

Winter Sleepers [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before Tom Tykwer created international hit "Run Lola Run" (or "Lola Rennt"), he created the ponderous "Winter Sleepers" (or "Winterschläfer"). Like Tykwer's later films, this one deals with fate, destiny, death, and love. It's an interesting execution, with a flawed climax and the occasional question of "where is this going?"

Laura (Marie-Lou Sellem) arrives at her little country cottage, where her pretty friend Rebecca (Floriane Daniel) lives. Things are complicated after the first evening: while handsome but loutish Marco (Heino Ferch) is in bed with Rebecca, a strange man (Ulrich Matthes) wanders over and takes Marco's car. But when he is driving, he causes an accident that puts a child in a life-threatening coma.

The child's father (Josef Bierbichler), stricken with grief, goes on the hunt for the man who accidently killed his daughter. That man, Rene, is now in love with Laura, but can't remember anything about the accident. Rene is also inadvertantly causing cracks in Laura and Marco's fragile, tempestuous relationship. One person will die -- two will find happiness -- and one will find freedom.

"Winter Sleepers" has a lot of the same themes and feel of Tykwer's later films, but more unpolished and loosely knit together. Though we know the fates of all these people are interconnected, much of the screen time is devoted to Laura and Rene's blossoming romance, or Marco and Rebecca's deteriorating one, and not to the central theme of the movie.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with a lot of Tykwer's signatures like a camera panning in a complete circle around Rene, and a character death never being shown except by a thud and darkness. As he often does, Tykwer filmed many scenes in a portentous manner, as if every tiny event could start off something important. Perhaps the biggest problem is the conclusion. While beautifully filmed, it seems out-of-character and a bit of an easy way out, as if Tykwer wasn't entirely sure how to end the various interconnected storylines.

One thing that Tykwer does well is give humanity in subtle ways to the characters, even the stupid, cheating Marco, who is genuinely miserable and guilt-stricken after his girlfriend falls off a ledge. Matthes is instantly sympathetic as the sensitive, memory-impaired Rene. Daniel and Sellem are quite nice in their roles as, respectively, the sexpot and the quiet wannabe-actress nurse.

"Winter Sleepers" lacks the tightness and focus of Tykwer's later films, though his good directing style is still present. However, those looking for an interesting philosophical drama/romance might want to check it out.

...much better. No question that Lola is a great movie, but turn off the soundtrack and it might get boring. This reminds me one of O'Henry's stories. Winter Sleepers takes it from a different angle. Not how the things might come if we miss by a minute the train or the bus, or if we take right or left. Winter Sleepers is deep. It tells you of what happens to us,is a reflection of how we behave in life itself...And we strugle to remember things we've done, to find explanation,no wonder!

I'm not sure what I expected when I snatched "Winter Sleepers" off the shelf at the local Blockbuster. I know I didn't expect what I got, though. After a pulse-pounding action masterpiece like "Run Lola Run," Tom Tykwer must have decided to tone down his action muscles and start exercising his drama talents. "Winter Sleepers" is one of the best foreign films I've ever seen, filmed with Tykwer's manic style and passion for atmosphere, yet with a hint of Atom Egoyan's love for plot twists. This is a film that Egoyan (my personal favorite director) would've loved to make, but Tykwer took it, shook it up, and he did it right.

The film begins with an almost totally silent introduction that sets the tone for the entire movie with its lovely overhead shots of the snow banks and the musical score playing. Each character is unveiled in long panning shots and small captions. The movie's pace moves along rather slowly for about five minutes, and then POW! A car crash that results in the incapacitation of a little girl, and triggers a father's need for revenge. Then Tykwer grabs ahold of the reins and let's her rip. The relationships between the characters in this movie are so carefully constructed and so keenly developed that by the end of this film we realize that if just one of them were to not exist, it would completely alter the outcome of everyone else's lives. Just like Atom Egoyan. Because this is a Tom Tykwer movie, it has a faster pace than a movie Egoyan would've made, but it is because of that that it is not as good as an Atom Egoyan movie. Egoyan loves giving us the time to contemplate while we watch the film. Tykwer gives us that time too, but he also loves distracting us with his camerawork and one too many shots of nudity. Sure, sex is one of the demonstrated evils in this film, and some of the shots do have a point to them, but most do not. Egoyan would've vetoed those shots, I'm pretty sure. But let's pull up the carpet and get down to brass tacks: "Winter Sleepers" is an extremely entertaining, powerfully written, acted, and directed film. It held my attention from its rather slow beginning all the way to its heartstopping end. Tykwer may be meant to make action movies, but "Winter Sleepers" shows us that he can do other stuff, too. Just not as well as Atom Egoyan.

a great looking film about characters whose lives keep affecting eachother in ways that they themselves seem to be oblivious to. a film about twists of fate, winter sleepers is at parts slow and probably too clever at times for its own good, but none of this really matters. the film is hauntingly beautiful to look at, with amazing scenery, music , and atmosphere. great performances as well. just a well done, pretty film that deserves way more attention than it has received.

I have to start by saying that Tom Tykwer is my new hero. All three of his movies (Winter Sleepers, Lola and Princess) are centered around the same basic themes (love, fate, death, you know the drill) but still manage to be wonderfully unique and interesting.

This is not the movie for someone who wants to see Run Lola Run Redux. Maybe not the movie for someone who thinks this is a followup to Lola (yeesh). But this IS a lovely film, filled with memorable characters, GORGEOUS cinematography and an interesting plot. These aspects alone put it head and shoulders above a lot of what is being produced these days anyhow.

I guess the bottom line would be: buy the movie on its own merits, and not on expectations. There is a beautiful yet unsettling calm at the center of Winter Sleepers that sucks you in, but only if you give it a chance to.

Just for the use of colours alone, this movie is worth seeing. It's beautiful and thought provoking and shows another side to Tom Tykwer's work. If you've seen his latest film, admittedly a directorial takeover, Heaven. The cinematography is like that of Run Lola Run, but I'd say more thoughtful. I enjoyed this movie a lot!

The creator of 'Run Lola Run' has more goodies in his bag with this tale of intertwined lines of fate. The story was engaging and the gritty european sensibility, once again, a refreshing respite from the slickness of most major Hollywood productions. It reminded me a little of Andy Warhol's 'Bad' - as it's not so much a story about anything in particular as much as it's a story about what happen's to the characters as they go about their lives and some rather difficult stuff happens.

Again - I love Tom T's work - it's very well crafted, everything in it is obviously very considered yet plays quite naturally. The suspension of disbelief is easy and there's always something about the characters that gives you a fresh perspective about life and people to consider.

The picture on the cover is somewhat misdirecting - the scene from which it is taken is actually not a comfortable, cozy time for lovers.

When it was all over, I was kind of hoping that this was just episode 1 of 10 - the story and the same - or different - people could have gone on for much longer and still maintained my interest. But that's what a Tom Tykwer movie does for you.

PS: T.T.s 'The Princess And The Warrior' is another AMAZING movie, slicker and newer than 'Winter Sleepers' but more good stuff from this great director.

Tom Tykwer, the director of Winter Sleepers, has a unique method of telling stories. His masterpiece Run Lola Run, where he explores his theory that some tiny change in a story can have monumental impact later. Winter Sleepers was released one year before Lola, and this film shows some of Tykwer's experiments in preparation for Lola.

Telling much about this story would harm viewing this film. In the broadest sense, it is a film about two women, Rebecca and Laura, that share a house owned by Laura. Rebecca has a ski instructor boyfriend. Laura is single, but looking. The universe of this little Alpen town is small. A lot happens in the over 2 hour movie. But yet, not a lot happens. And make no mistake, this is not a happy film.

The cinematography of this film is incredible. The opening montage with the gorgeous music, amazing helicopter shots of snow covered mountains. The almost effortless, silky smooth camera movements are poetry. Tykwer knows exactly how to make the right camera movement at the right moment without calling attention to the fact that the scene is moving. He unveils exactly the right objects at the perfect moment.

There is a sense in this film that tiny details do have grave consequences. The ski instructor drives up in his Alfa Romeo, he's so excited to see Rebecca, they kiss as he opens the door, he sweeps her into the house; leaving the keys in the car and the car door open. Two very simple small things that have incredible consequences - in fact are the tipping point in the whole story. Its the same idea as in Run Lola Run, except that the conclusion isn't played out three times with three small changes.

The film is beautiful to watch. Rebecca loves the color red. I'm certain this has some meaning in the film; or it is simply, she looks absolutely stunning in red. Floriane Daniel, Rebecca, is a beautiful actress. Her ski bum boyfriend, Marco, is a tall handsome man. Laura has a unique bohemian beauty about her. Rene, the unusual or odd love interest Laura develops, has a special allure. The town, the mountains, the snow, Laura's amazing little house, they are all beautiful.

I am a fan of Tom Tykwer's work. There is a progression in his film making. Winter Sleepers is fairly easy to watch, he builds one story and tells it one time. Run Lola Run is definately his masterpiece film, but seeing that event three times over can be a bit daunting. The Princess and the Warrior was an odd film, that stepped in a little different direction. Heaven, is my next film to watch, starring Kate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi. Paris, Je T'Aime (Paris, I Love You), is a strange film where 20 seemingly unrelated stories are told; but then build into a single coherent movie. Remarkable that a director could pull this off. And finally Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer, a revolting, difficult to watch movie. As a body of work, he is a genius.

This film is not rated. There is no violence. There insn't much strong language. There are several scenes with exposed breasts. When full frontal nudity might happen, artfully placed foreground objects obscure the private parts, both female and male. There are a couple of sex scenes, all done artfully. Rebecca in her clothes, is shown masturbating. The important factor, these scenes are all meaningful in the film, they are not just gratuitious nudity.

The DVD is shown in German with English subtitles that can be turned off. There are only a few special features, filmographies, trailers, and production credits. Tykwer, rightly so, makes his film, and what is on the cutting room floor stays there.

This is a fine film. The beginnings of a great film director are visible. The pace is not speedy, the story develops slowly and deliberately. It is gorgeous to watch.

It's a gritty movie w/ raw passion and emotions and humanism. I like it!
Quick delivery and in good shape, thanks!

This is a german movie with english subtitles. The settings are a small rural town in winter and portrays 4-5 major characters who have miserable lives in one way or another and their paths will cross each others later on. The whole winter scene, snow, naked trees and darkness has really given this movie a sad overtone. The characters are all powerful and contribute to the story line, especially the poor farmer who is searching for the killer of his daughter.

The story has some happy moments here and there and are well integrated in the story line.

I can't tell you much otherwise it will ruin it for you in case you haven't seen it yet.