Daniel Kehlmann is one of Germany's leading authors, not even of the age of 40 he already published a series of modern classics. And there is still no sign that his talent is ebbing out. His elegant style makes the most exquisite literature, a celebration for those who can enjoy his charming irony and chiseled prose. How can this become a good movie?
In the hands of Buck it couldn't. He is mainly known for robust comedies and routine works for TV, so this subtle piece of literature degenerates in the hands of this director. Kehlmann collaborated with the script and he finds an easy solution - he retells the story off-voice.
The novel Die Vermessung der Welt is about two of the greatest scientists of their time, Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauß. The first one a natural scientist, the other a mathematician.
The visual part is opulent, and relies to a large extent on Humboldt's travel to South America, but then it seems to become like an extended National Geographic biopic. Thus the visual is there for its stylishness and nothing more. And in-between stumble the young actors who try to give their vision of the characters they are supposed to portray; the director doesn't have a vision of the characters either.
There are some brilliant scenes in the film, e.g. when Gauß explains to Humboldt his view on science, but in the whole this is comedy that has turned slapstick.
Remember: only a congenial director can make a successful adaptation from a brilliant book. Detlev Buck is not that director.
Gauß is played by Florian David Fitz. I saw recently his TV-movie Jesus liebt mich (Jeus loves me). I felt intrigued to watch it because of the representation of Doomsday for puppets - but this movie leads nowhere. It is supposed to be about the second coming of Christ and the ensuing apocalypse, but the film doesn't knwo where to move. It is neither provocative, nor entertaining, just like an episode from a never-ending soap. This is the routine thing TV stations provide for unambitious audiences. A film you can easily watch while ironing, chatting on the phone and where it doesn't matter when you fall asleep while it's on the air.
In the hands of Buck it couldn't. He is mainly known for robust comedies and routine works for TV, so this subtle piece of literature degenerates in the hands of this director. Kehlmann collaborated with the script and he finds an easy solution - he retells the story off-voice.
The novel Die Vermessung der Welt is about two of the greatest scientists of their time, Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauß. The first one a natural scientist, the other a mathematician.
The visual part is opulent, and relies to a large extent on Humboldt's travel to South America, but then it seems to become like an extended National Geographic biopic. Thus the visual is there for its stylishness and nothing more. And in-between stumble the young actors who try to give their vision of the characters they are supposed to portray; the director doesn't have a vision of the characters either.
There are some brilliant scenes in the film, e.g. when Gauß explains to Humboldt his view on science, but in the whole this is comedy that has turned slapstick.
Remember: only a congenial director can make a successful adaptation from a brilliant book. Detlev Buck is not that director.
Gauß is played by Florian David Fitz. I saw recently his TV-movie Jesus liebt mich (Jeus loves me). I felt intrigued to watch it because of the representation of Doomsday for puppets - but this movie leads nowhere. It is supposed to be about the second coming of Christ and the ensuing apocalypse, but the film doesn't knwo where to move. It is neither provocative, nor entertaining, just like an episode from a never-ending soap. This is the routine thing TV stations provide for unambitious audiences. A film you can easily watch while ironing, chatting on the phone and where it doesn't matter when you fall asleep while it's on the air.
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| How to make a tabloid version of an elegant book. |
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