The Lives of Others

Positive—I was very impressed with the quality and content of this film. I prefer foreign films over domestic, usually. There tends to be more originality and substance in foreign productions. This film did not disappoint me. The story in particular is noteworthy, as it traces the emotional and spiritual development of a staunch secret service officer as his heart softens and he begins to understand the evil of his regime. The scene with the prostitute is quite strong, as is an implicit rape in a car. The many levels of the content—the personal, the political, the emotional, the physical, the spiritual—make for a rich movie experience. I heartily recommend this movie to mature moviegoers.
My Ratings: Offensive / 5

Positive—The principle action in “The Lives of Others” takes place in 1984, and reveals that almost all of George Orwell’s premonitions proved true. We are given a glimpse into a world in which God is replaced by the state. Sadness, slavery and death are the inevitable results. Yet, even in an evil society such as Communist East Berlin, God finds a way to speak to man. He speaks through an unlikely hero, a man who spies on his fellow citizens.

The man is the state’s perfect paramour, but his own worst enemy, until he undergoes a conversion. He gains a new life when he loses his old one—his story is a metaphor for Twentieth Century Europe and for the entire human experience. This is a beautiful cinematic story infused with much more light and hope than the dark and creepy “Pan’s Labyrinth,” another recent foreign language film dealing, but not as well, with the evils of totalitarianism. “The Lives of Others” is about real heroism—refreshing in the way “United 93” and even “300” have been, and a welcome departure from the heroism as desperation theme that weighed down recent movies such as “The Departed,” “Flags of Our Fathers,” and “Zodiac.”
My Ratings: Average / 4½

Positive—…The long standing ethical question of whether lies and deceit (rather than truth) can ever represent the correct or moral course of action for an individual is at the centre of the plot of this film, although probably few will comment on this. Gerd progressively comes to believe in the non-socialist values espoused by Georg in his writing and through his music—which are at variance with those of his socialist superiors. And to query why the suicide rates are so high under socialism. As a result Gerd engages in progressively more and more elaborate lies and fabrications, at significant personal risk, in order to protect Georg from the East German Stasi.

Some will say that Gerd was right to use lies and deceit in this way because of the favourable outcome he intended and achieved, arguing from an ethics of consequences viewpoint. Other may say he was right because the principle of protecting life trumps the principle of truth, arguing from an ethics of ranked principles. Some Christians would support one or other of these views, and others would take a firmer line on the need for truth telling, despite likely adverse consequences. …
My Ratings: Average / 4

Positive—The movie is obviously not a Christian movie, but it still shows how a person’s compassion can influence other people in a positive way. Georg Dreyman is such a person. He knows nothing about Wiesler and therefore has no intention whatsoever to influence Wiesler’s life in a positive way, but this is still exactly what Dreymann is doing throughout the movie. He cares for his country, he cares for his compatriots, and he is willing to take a great personal risk because of his compassion.

Wiesler, who reminded me more of a robot at the beginning of the movie, is exposed to Dreymann’s compassion because of his job, but still, Dreymann’s compassion is rubbing off on him. More and more Wiesler is beginning to realise that Dreymann is right with his criticism and acts accordingly. Especially the scene with the prostitute seemed like an epiphany to me. I admit that the scene is not unproblematic (nudity and sex with a prostitute), but it is still not about lust. The whole scene is so empty, and void of emotion, and even satisfaction that one can literally feel that Wiesler does not need empty sex, but something else, namely compassion.

If I remember correctly then this is stressed even more when Wiesler is asking the prostitute to stay a little longer. It is not explicitly said whether Wiesler wants to sleep with her again or whether he is just hoping to be able to talk with another human being, but personally I came to the conclusion that the latter was implied. Unfortunately, or maybe rather fortunately the prostitute rejects him though and reminds him that there are other customers waiting for her. In this moment Wiesler seems to understand how depressing his country is and why the suicide rate is so high.

Dreymann, on the other hand, has his beloved girlfriend, his art and his compassion and by spying on him Wiesler is able to get an idea of what love and compassion really mean. This is even more supported by the fact that the state, or rather a corrupt representative of the state, ordered Wiesler to destroy Dreymann’s life. Maybe for the first time Wiesler experiences a man who is truly experiencing love, something that is definitely not a part of Wiesler’s own life, and all of a sudden Wiesler also realises how valuable love and compassion really are. He understands this so well that he is willing to sacrifice his own career just so that he is able to defend the only man he knows who really lives: Dreymann Last but not least I must say that the movie is not entirely unproblematic, but it is still an inspiring movie that is even teaching a Christian core value, namely love.

It also shows that a life that is guided by love and compassion can have a more positive impact here in this world than one should think. Dreymann, for instance, has no intention whatsoever to have a positive impact on Wiesler’s life, he does not even know him, but his compassion is still a powerful force that still gives Wiesler a ray of hope.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5

Positive—Whenever I watch a foreign film I am surprised by the differences in our national cinema. Sadly, most contemporary American filmmakers seem unable to craft films as subtle, nuanced, and emotionally gripping as this. “The Lives of Others” is not just one of the best films of its decade, but of all time. Its masterful character development should be taught in classes someday. The film’s major success is its criticism of East Germany’s government and perhaps Socialism in general.

Despite this commendable message, the movie is hampered by some negative content, most notably a semi-brief but explicit sex scene.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5