Movie #65: Released in 1974, directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 93 minutes. New to me!

LetterBoxd Score: 4.5 stars

Assorted thoughts on this one:

• It’s an odd mix of real and unreal. The sets are real, lived-in, and grimy. But occasionally the cast behaves in posed ways, freezing in place and staring. This extends to the core conceit of the movie. There is a level of unreality to the whole premise – why do these two fall in love? But that bit actually doesn’t really require much suspension of disbelief, because the chemistry between the two leads is so genuine. You believe it’s two people unusually attuned to the expression of kindness.
• Most commentary praises the acting of Brigitte Mira, but El Heidi ben Salem brings dignity to a role that mostly asks him to be stoic (until the very end; what a great conceit, all that endurance revealed to be a facade).
• I appreciate that the movie knows it can’t just have Ali be a magic pixie dream man. He’s a real person, he is not perfect.
• Gary Becker would approve of this movie. Bigotry overcome (no – merely pushed below the surface) via markets and trade.

All in all, a touching little movie basically perfectly executed.

Why would someone think it’s one of the ten greatest movies ever made?

It’s a bit of a fairytale, but executed with sufficient realism and acting prowess that you believe it’s real. Hard to top that!

Next: Celine and Julie Go Boating