"Sass`, set in historic Berlin during the Twenties is an impressive movie starring the best that Germany can offer at the mo: Otto Sander, just receiving a long-awaited yet rare hommage in a monograph being released this summer, again mind-blows in a stunning performance. It´s been a clever move to cast him as supporting actor: he´s best in withdrawn but persistent roles ever since his breakthrough in Wolfgang Petersen´s "Das Boot`. Moreover: German heroes Ben Becker (internationally known to cineasts since "Comedian Harmonist`) and Jurgen Vogel are at their best. We can breath with these two characters, one strong and calculated, the other wild and shy simultaneously: a perfect match.
Director Carlo Rola manages to bridge this odd pair of bros. Successfully and consecutively, they melt into each other, only to find a dramatic ending that leaves us sour-sweet. But who would mind that small tear running down one´s face when leaving the screening room for another day in reality?
This poetic but serious heavy weight of film sublimely gives us a spectacular glimpse of European roaring Twenties. Not to mention these beautiful actresses every human being considers a fling with. - A hard life in easy times and an easy life in hard times: "Sass` is a historical lecture, generated by the movies. Yet its greatest plus is the movie´s make-up and its costumes. This look is perfectly arranged - Hollywood should open its eyes and keep one thing in mind: this piece of celluloid will be the horse conquering Troy.
