Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Free Rainer" is a German movie from almost 10 years ago that runs for over 2 hours and was written and directed by Hans Weingartner, one of Germany's most acclaimed and successful filmmakers these days. And he made something pretty good here. I enjoyed watching this one for the most part and despite its massive runtime, it never dragged only a bit. The lead actor here is Moritz Bleibtreu, one of Germany's most famous for a long time now. Female protagonist is played by Elsa Sophie Gambard, who interestingly never appeared in a film again after this one and works in the field of medicine today. The supporting cast includes a couple actors that you may have come across in other films, but who are not too famous. most known may be Milan Peschel, who plays a man with social phobia, but who is usually better than in this one here. Austrian Gregor Bloéb on the other hand was a positive surprise as the main antagonist, who takes "aaöglatt" to the next level.The best thing, however, about this film is the excellent and spot-on criticism on the German television landscape. There is so much crap on television right now that makes me wonder why television is on such a high level over there in the United States, but here it sucks so hard. Even almost 10 years after this movie, nothing has changed. Actually, the already bad courtroom television shows got replaced by even worse fake reality television programs. So yeah, all these references alone are reason enough to check out the movie. It has some problems in other areas though. First of all, it is a bit on the predictable site, but that's not the worst problem. The film is hurt more by a lack of shades. People are either 100% likable or 100% unlikeable and there is nothing in-between sadly. This also results in some cringeworthy moments when the dialogs are just a bit on the holier-than-thou side.However, "Free Rainer" is absolutely worth checking out for its social commentary that, in 2016, applies more than ever. I recommend this movie to everybody who reads this review here and has not yet seen it. It certainly also helps if you like Bleibtreu. I myself am fine with him without being a really big fan, however, so you don't need to adore him to appreciate his and Weingartner's efforts here. Yes it is not a very realistic film (but with a huge fun-ride early on when Bleibtreu's character is still one of the bad guys), but a very authentic one and also pretty entertaining for the most part. Go check it out.

kosmasp A nice stab at what we get on our TVs. Apart from the commercials (and the fact that they cut movies in Germany to show them) it's the main reason I don't watch any TV anymore. "Reality" TV shows and other stuff have taken over. So the movie is still and will be relevant. Shouldn't it have impacted a lot more though and make people think about what they watch? I don't think so and I don't really agree with where the movie goes towards the end. It takes the edge of a bit for me. Of course this only being a movie and only wanting to entertain is one thing. But I would have liked if it stayed as cynical as it started off. There are some phrases thrown in, that could spark discussions though (what was there first: bad programming or the viewers?). But again I don't agree with the answers the movie provides.

nevenbartel I came into the movie with fairly high expectations - I had liked "Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei" and thought Weingarten would move up the scale - the topic was a challenge, but I was optimistic.Let's start with the good part: The first 20 minutes are amazing. Moritz Bleibtreu is the perfect actor for playing the a****** TV producer: Loud, eccentric, on edge, constantly drinking or sniffing a line, no respect for other people, full of himself. His exit from the studio and his drive in the Jaguar through Berlin to Downset's "Anger" is memorable. Excellent throughout the movie are also Gregor Bloéb as Maiwald, Rainer's (even more polarizing) boss (what a fabulous name for the character) and Milan Peschel for the introvert security-guard-come-conspiracy-theorist Philip.Unfortunately, the good part of the movie ends after Rainer's accident. This is where the movie tries to be a moralist movie/comedy/serious film/blockbuster. Unfortunately, it fails on all counts. The constant swing back and forth between the genres made me feel unease half of the time. Weingarten was constantly trying to get a message across to the viewer, but I'm afraid he didn't know what it was himself. If he was just trying to provide entertainment, why did he constantly attempt touching on my moralist conscience? I hope you get my dilemma.Elsa Sophie Gambard, alias Pegah is really pretty, but the only face she could make the whole movie was a cross-over: "Angeline Jolie Tomraider/I am an evil alien/My life is frustrating/I am in love with you". After seeing her on screen with the same face while screaming at Rainer and kissing him a few scenes later, I had to laugh out loud.Superfluous are the swimming pool scene - what the heck does that have to do with the movie - and the (very superficial) love story between Rainer and Pegah. Making the movie end almost exactly like in "Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei" - didn't help. What? Did Weingarten run out of ideas but was forced by the production company to finish before Christmas? Come-on! I did enjoy some of the characters from the unemployment army to hack into the IMA-System. Irshad Panjatan (Gopal) was a laugh. A few memorable moments also include Maiwald skating out of the CEOs office with a big fat grin on his face and Rainer smashing his Jaguar - but all this is not enough to save the movie. (5/10)

richard_sleboe Someone said that if you want to know them you're funny, don't tell them you're funny, tell them a joke. In this case, the last laugh is on the audience. Hans Weingartner's movie is all telling and zero demonstration. Irrespective of temperament and motivation, his characters preach to the camera on the corruptive influence of mainstream television, the liberating powers of learning and movies as a moral institution. At no point in the story do we have any idea why the characters behave the way they do. Laughable. Three reasons to see "Free Rainer" anyway: Rainer's initial display of road rage that leaves even a group of short-tempered skinheads green with fear, an amusing portrayal of a nameless millionaire's wife, and the very lovely Elsa Gambard. It's obvious she can't act, but with face and grace like that, she should have no trouble at all finding work as a model. - Guest appearance by Sarah Kuttner. God knows what's gotten into her.