What a Man is a 2011 German comedy film directed by Matthias Schweighöfer. It was well received by German critics[1] and also a success at the box office. It received US$17.3 million at the box office [2]
| What a Man | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Matthias Schweighöfer |
| Written by | Doron Wisotzky Matthias Schweighöfer |
| Produced by | Marco Beckmann Dan Maag Matthias Schweighöfer Gabriela Bacher |
| Starring | Matthias Schweighöfer Sibel Kekilli |
| Cinematography | Frank Griebe |
| Edited by | Mathilde Bonnefoy |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Germany |
| Language | German |
| Box office | US$17.300.000 |
Plot
edit30-year-old elementary school teacher Alex discovers that his girlfriend Carolin has an affair with their neighbour, photographer Jens, and is forced to move out of their shared flat. He moves in with his friend, animal welfare activist Nele who has a long-distance-relationship with her French boyfriend Etienne who lives in China. Alex tries to find out why his relationship with Carolin failed and what actually constitutes a man. Meanwhile he and Nele who were in love with each other since primary school fall in love again.
Cast
edit- Matthias Schweighöfer as Alexander
- Sibel Kekilli as Nele
- Elyas M'Barek as Okke
- Mavie Hörbiger as Carolin
- Milan Peschel as Volker
- Thomas Kretschmann as Jens
- Lilay Huser as Okke's Grandma
- Nora Jokhosha as Laura
- Theresa Underberg as Stine
- Joel Federico Laczlò Wüstenberg as Alexander's student
- Gitta Schweighöfer as Ms. Schlupp
- Friedrich Mücke as Doctor
- Katharina Schüttler as Mrs. at Checkin
- Pasquale Aleardi as Etienne
- Nora Tschirner Lady in the Panda-Costume
- Paul Alhäuser
- Andreas Nowak
- Patrick Sass as Barkeeper
Reception in the United States
editAaron Coleman of Backstage found "copying its American counterparts" made the film "warmly endearing".[3]
Farran Smith Nehme of the New York Post felt the plot was predictable and added "even the camera work is predictable".[4]
Calhoun Kersten of www.filmmonthly.com called this film "so disarmingly charming that its faults don't stop it from being an incredibly enjoyable film", no matter whether "you feel like you’ve seen it all before".[5]
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter judged that despite "its slavish adherence to familiar genre conventions" the film provided "reasonably fun viewing" because of its "off-kilter humor" and the "chemistry exhibited by Schweighofer and Kekilli".[6]
Sandrine Sahakians of www.filmequals.com recommended the film to "anyone looking to put a smile on their faces".[7]
Andy Webster of the New York Times conceded What a Man possibly quoted some well-known patterns but added "its sureness of tone" made Schweighöfer "a talent to watch".[8]
References
edit- ^ "This well acted, light-hearted comedy is carefully produced, thoroughly enjoyable and unpretentious entertainment. (Birgit Schrumpf)". Retrieved 2013-01-15.
- ^ "What a Man marked the second-best start for a German film this year, just behind Til Schweiger's Kokowaah". Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Ironically, copying its American counterparts is what makes "What a Man" warmly endearing, like little brother lifting weights with big brother. The cast's lovability elevates the middling script". Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^ "The plot is predictable, as complications line up like jets awaiting takeoff. Even the camera work is predictable". Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^ "What a Man is so disarmingly charming that its faults don't stop it from being an incredibly enjoyable film, even if you feel like you've seen it all before". Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^ "Notwithstanding its slavish adherence to familiar genre conventions, the film nonetheless makes for reasonably fun viewing, thanks to its off-kilter humor and the chemistry exhibited by Schweighofer and Kekilli". Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^ "I cannot recommend What A Man enough for anyone looking to put a smile on their faces and a good laugh. I saw it in the morning and I felt very happy the rest of the day". Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^ "It may hit all-too-familiar notes, but its sureness of tone makes Mr. Schweighöfer a talent to watch". Retrieved 2012-11-29.