Film: The Lives of Others

So, tonight's tv served up The Lives of Others. I do think I've seen this before, but it's one of those I saw years ago, didn't remember anything about, but really wanted to see again. Happily, there wasn't anything on other channels to clash with it.

It's a German film, set in 1984, in the GDR, where a Stasi agent - as the blurb would have it - becomes obsessed with the man (Sebastian Koch) that he's got under surveillance. Now, I do love a good Cold War drama - nothing quite like them for sheer suspense, as oppressed citizens try to get on with their lives in grey and unforgiving surroundings, while those in the know complete dangerous assignments, for the greatest stakes. We meet our agent in his capacity of interviewing suspects, and are left in no doubt about his cold and calculating treatment of them - indeed, he teaches a class on it.

And then.. he's ordered to start surveillance on a famous writer. They put the equipment in place, this agent starts listening.. and he turns into Walter Mitty. You see, this writer is so much more glamorous - he has a nicer apartment, a beautiful girlfriend, is better dressed; hey, he even has more hair! I don't know whether the agent fantasises about being him, but he certainly admires - or sympathises with - him; he even sneaks in there when they're out, and nicks a book! Well, in contrast, his own life is so drab - a drab apartment, a lonely existence; who'd go out with a Stasi agent? Thing is though, how far is he willing to go with this - and how far will he be allowed to go, in this nosy and oppressive environment?

It's compelling. The agent doesn't say much, but his face speaks volumes - and he really carries the film. Mainly, you get a sense of exasperation, as you see everything these people can't do - the film turns riveting towards the end, however, as the writer (who is up to no good) comes closer to discovery. And at the very end of the film, we flip into the future, the fall of the Wall, and a fascinating scene where he gets to see the official records of his surveillance, and realises the truth of what was happening all along! Absolutely terrific film, very highly recommended.

Tomorrow, looking like film again - and Amazon Prime kindly sent me an advertising email this afternoon. Some highly rated stuff - so I'll give it a shot! Highest among them - that I'd be interested in - is Good Omens, a sci-fi comedy about the end of the world. Somebody has triggered Armageddon, it seems, and it's up to an angel (Michael Sheen) and a demon (David Tennant) to stop it. Frances McDormand is God, Miranda Richardson plays the hapless medium who represents the first recorded case of angelic possession. Based on a book co-written by Terry Pratchett, it looks quite clever - and I do love that the Antichrist is a small boy. Seems so appropriate. Anyway, I love that kind of stuff - and end-of-the-world stories seem so appropriate, these days!