Männerherzen

Saw this movie at the AFM. In my eyes, this is one of the best German comedies in years and it didn't surprise me to learn that this has become a big box office hit over there. Did not expect much cause the clumsy teutonic sense of humor usually is not my thing at all. But this movie feels rather "ungerman" as it is truly charming and witty and thoroughly well written and acted. The scenes are hysterical, but always remain realistic. Mannerherzen (male hearts) tells the stories of five guys going to the same gym in Berlin,with everyone trying to be a real man in his life and no one really having a clue what that actually means in our day and age. Their quests for happiness and romance are told from a strictly male point of view, which makes this comedy less corny and somewhat more edgy than the usual variations. The English title "men in the city" i find a bit misleading as this is not in the vain of the "sex in the city" movies. It feels less glossy and polished and more original and real, much more like "swingers". Definitely worth checking out.

The cast could be declared a who is who of German comedy actors or actors in general. While I am not a big fan of Schweiger, but being in an ensemble movie, he is not really hurting. Actually his character has quite a few funny things coming at him. There is a lot to like here and a lot to see (well way more than US audiences would expect considering the German rating it got).

You have some stock characters (homosexual) with the typical clichés painted on them and you have troubles that only men can have. Well at least that's what the movie is telling you. Clearly there are more than a couple of flaws just in that, but the movie is too much fun (good fun), to put it in a corner like that

This is one of my favorite movies to hit German theaters in years. I guess you can call it a romantic comedy, but it deals with the male side of the story, which is not always that romantic, but rather full of doubts, hesitations, male soul searching, leading to hysterical results. The actors are amazing, especially the new talents Maxim Mehmet and Florian David Fitz really deliver, the scenes are excellently written and perfectly executed and the visual style is beautiful and bold. This is a perfect movie for guys who are able to laugh at their own shortcomings, but women will love this film too, even if the guys are not portrayed as the romantic heroes they want them to be...

The movie contains quite many of the best comedy actors in Germany. The movie focuses on a couple of men in relationship crisis meeting each other in and outside a fitness studio where they frequently hone their male bodies. There is the good looking guy who doesn't want to commit to a relationship, hoping to get his record deal for the music he loves to produce. There is the loser who can't everything done, but his gf of few weeks pregnant. The nerdy and of course shy administrator trying to get together with the store clerk he has a crush on. The father, who lost his marriage over a traumatizing accident at work. The guy who planned out everything including the marriage with his high-school crush, getting second thoughts.

There is a flamboyant bisexual character - a Schlager singer - who probably has the most fun role to play.

Männerherzen is an excellent comedy about men and their struggles in life and love. The dialogue is first rate with some really memorable oneliners, some scenes are incredibly funny, others touching and emotional, a really exceptional mix of moods and feelings. For me this is one of the few German movies that was really worth going to the movie theatre for. Justus Dohnanyi gives an amazing performance as the German "Schmaltz" popstar Bruce Berger, who sings these horrible, sappy songs about saving the earth. His scenes are sensationally funny, but also equally tragic and i hope this guy wins some award for his crazy performance here. But all the other actors were outstanding too, their timing is right on the money and even though some scenes are rather over the top, the acting isn't. I have never seen Til Schweiger, the German megastar, as good as in this movie.