The TV play of Thomas Mann's short story is situated in Lübeck. Three withered sisters form the ironic background for Johannes Friedemann, out of a formerly rich, patrician family. He is deformed, withdrew from the world of love into stoic epicureanism, i.e. Music, literature and theater.
The arrival of Gerda von Rinnlingen pulverises that calm. The TV play becomes quite explicit about some real bed preference of Gerda's, whereas the book just sketched her as a diabolic, díonysian charactre.
Mr. Friedemann becomes enamoured by wild Gerda, unhappily married to a rich officer and open to unhealthy art, too. A wiedergänger to Gerda Buddenbrook. Finally, Friedemann confesses his love. Etc.
Ulrich Mühe plays it with all his class. Though von Bismarck's performance as 24-year old Gerda could have been stronger.
The play is worth seeing, yet the original book trumps it.
