Reno Rangan It was like, came five years ago. One of the most unexpected films from a debutant director to succeed commercially, as well as to grab as many as the German Academy Awards. A 'black and white' and a short film than an average runtime. A small budget flick that the entire story revolved within a day. These are the interesting basic things about it you must know. Then going into the film, it's really feels good kind. But not everything in the story was pleasant. I mean, there's nothing serious, but a man who faces difficulties.It was about a young, carefree man. Dropped out of law practice and having no job or a girlfriend, he spends his days as how it turns out itself. He has one good friend, nut not an ideal one. And of course annoying father who always advises him to be normal like everybody else. But this particular day is not ordinary. After saying goodbye to a girl he spent the night with, all he wanted was a cup of fresh coffee. Unfortunately, he did not get it.So the rest of the day follows, as many unexpected events begin to unfold. One of it was encountering an old schoolmate. She invites him to her play. Meanwhile, his date with dad and later in the day ending up in a pub where he meets an old man who narrates his life experience. Just after that, the story takes a simple twist as the day too is coming to an end, the end credit started to roll up.-xX] The only thing I can do, is do nothing for you anymore. [Xx-I like modern 'black and white' films. Actually 99 per cent of those films I've seen were like masterpieces or almost. They simply don't make one, unless what they wanted to narrate on the screen is something special. It really captured the depth. The depth of the character. When it all began, we know zero about the lead character, but very soon everything changes, only heading forward. And when it reached the other end, you would feel you have known him long enough. One of the reasons could be your life, having similarity with the film. Most of the people have passed that stage in their 20s, like either being rebellious or unemployed/carefree.It was pretty much like one of those films you have seen that centres on one particular thing. Because of a small timing indifference or a mistake can lead a slight deviation in the path and then a new adventure begins. That's what in my language we say, 'in a cycle gap'. Bicycles might be big, but its path/track is so thin. In this, it was all about a cup of coffee. If he had got it when he first desired for it, the thing would have been different. Very neatly written screenplay. No doubt why it won the national award for that.Towards the end, I felt slowness, like it got tired of everything. But that's perfect, because since this tale is about a single day, that's how people as well feel in their long day. Overall, it worked out for me and so for most those who saw it. I might be late, but watched it, did not I! If you have seen it, that's great, but if not, then I suggest you to try it. Quite fun to watch. No serious laughs, but in a couple of scenes it delivered as it meant. Felt like I've watched a German film after a long time, but I've picked the right one.7/10

Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Oh Boy" is a black-and-white Berlin-set tale of melancholy starring tom Schilling and directed by Jan Ole Gerster. For the latter it is only the second movie as director and the first in 8 years. Also, he played a minor role in making "Good Bye Lenin". So, with that non-prolific background, it was certainly a bit surprising how many awards this movie achieved and that it became the great winner at the German Film Awards that year. The movie only runs for little over 80 minutes and depicts conversations and interactions between the central character and usually one or two other people. Schilling is basically in every scene of the film. All the supporting players do a very fine job too, even if they only appear in a single scene like Schüttler, von Dohnányi, Lau or Brambach, a personal favorite. I mentioned Katharina Schüttler and I liked how the words displayed on the screen "Oh Boy" perfectly fit her interaction with our "hero" early on in the film.I quite liked the music. The jazz performances with the black-and-white cinematography give the film a very unique, melancholic note. At the end, I somehow had the feeling that there was a parallel between Gwisdek's character and Schilling's. You basically knew nothing really about them, even if you watched Schilling the entire movie. You find out a lot more about everybody he interacts with. Gwisdek won a German Film award by the way for his one-scene performance at the end, but this may have also been a career awards. I preferred other nominees (his own son) and I also thought Ulrich Noethen gave a better performance here in this film as well. Maybe it was some kind of unofficial career achievement award or had to do with Gwisdek being born in Berlin. Lau and Schilling were as well, by the way. The biggest supporting player is Friederike Kempter ("Tatort"), who gives a fine performance as well as an attractive, but very unstable young woman.I enjoyed this movie a lot. I don't know if you have seen any of Jarmusch's "Coffee and Cigarettes" works, but it reminded me a bit of that, only that I liked it even more. Highly recommended and it gives us a great portrayal of loneliness and life in the big city.

Andrej Strakl Jan Ole Gerster is still relatively unknown, a director who wrote and directed so far his greatest success. (A Coffee and Berlin, 2012) is a surprising tragi-comedy. Niko Fischer played by Schilling, who interrupted his studies and is trying to find himself in Berlin. The movie reflects the play of colors, through a black and white melancholy in the backdoors of Berlin, which brings a big city atmosphere. How quickly can someone get lost in the extent of a city? I Might emphasize extremely but it is a well-written story, with a crunchy plot, which is both dynamic and interesting. As far the idea of broken glass, leaves the feeling of hopelessness and disconnection. It is to focus on its central importance. I must mention the editing, sometimes it is dysfunctional in transition, so the story becomes a little bit stiff.The main actor Schilling, offers extremely good emotional articulation, he has a strong repertoar, and brings a lot to the movie. There is a spectacle or a slow-burning rhythm that you feel in this flick. Almost a kind of sophisticated intelligent elegance.When something is dying, there is born something new. Are we really all alone on this planet, or is it alOne? The ultimate truth lies within us. Stunning black and white tragicomedy with the addition of old school German actors, offers an exceptional journey, true the psyche of a young man...trying. Worth a sneak peak.

Elisabeth-topping Whilst the nouvelle vague phenomenon continues in NY, it's seems Berlin, and Jan Ole Gerster actually has something to say. At times comedic, at times serious, the writing is wonderfully wry and reminiscent of Woody Allen's darker moments. The tension between the black comedy and the underlying backdrop of Berlin's inescapable history is a knife edge Jan treads with the delicacy of a master. Berlin looks fantastic in black and white, and the effortlessly understated cinematography and precise editing mean this film deserves all the hype that Frances Ha is getting and more.Refreshing, and fresh this is an incredibly accomplished thesis film. And trust me, you can live without the trailer.