Splendid movie
Happy Reader | Northern California | 03/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not cheerful, and neither of the two main characters are particularly likeable. But, as you find out more about their past, the characters' actions are understandable. We really enjoyed it, and my daughter, who plays piano, was truly inspired by the piano in the movie. I'm not the first to write this, but the four-minute contest piece at the end is incredible. The acting is great. I'm more of a happy-ending type person, and even I have to admit this was a very good movie.
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I'm adding something to my initial review. After I reviewed this film, I noticed that my amazon.com recommendations were full of movies with a lesbian theme. This surprised me, because though one character in "Four Minutes" is lesbian, it's not a theme of the movie as we saw it. It would be too bad if you didn't watch this movie because of pigeonholing by amazon or anyone else. It's a well acted movie with two female leads, one who supresses her pain and rage, the other who lets the rage take over, and the music that brings them together. I very much recommend this movie for the raw emotion and exceptionally well-drawn characters."
A riveting story, superbly performed
Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 10/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Traude Kruger taught piano at a women's prison for more than sixty years. But her inmate Jenny, a convicted killer with a history of beating people for simple amusement, is unique. Once a great musical talent she could be trained to participate in and wine a prestigious piano contest -- despite her prison sentence. Traude's problem is how to inspire Jenny to act out with her music rather than her fists. "Four Minutes" is a riveting story, superbly performed, and the conclusion is truly memorable. The German with subtitles DVD format is enhanced with such bonus features as the Theatrical Trailer, a Widescreen Presentation, Dolby 2.0 Audio sound. Total Running Time: 112 minutes; full color."
Super story
Latour07 | Paris, France | 09/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a masterly film! What a shock! The viewer is taken to trippes at heart and shaken in all directions. This film is exceptional. To let be yourself more engrossed by such a film would probably be too much for the nerves, both the intensity is violent, acute, sharp.
How to succeed in giving birth to a prison friendship between two women who have nothing in common except a true passion for the piano with a lot of patience, tenacity and tolerance is btilliantly shown in this film ? What a superb story!
The viewer is not indemn from such a projection. The final "four minutes" of the film is dazzling.
It is a great film issued by the German cinema that never ceases to surprise us with happiness ( "Good-bye Lenin!" Good Bye, Lenin!, "The Lives of Others" The Lives of Others)."
Four Minutes
Francis Tuifao | 06/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I enjoyed the intense conflict between the female Inmate and the piano instructor. It is what makes Dark Drama quite superb. I love this film. Thank You."