Rumspringa - Ein Amish in Berlin

No not the Weird Al one - actually none if you think about the rules and restrictions. Now before you get defensive or offensive about those things: remember every religion has a lot of rules and regulations - if you were to follow all of them ... well let's say life would be quite different than what you may experience right now. On the other hand there are states/countries who either already have religion dictate everyday life or are about to impose laws who will do just that.

But let's not go down that road - this is overall a light comedy and you should not make too much of those things. It is about a naive young Amish boy, who is also innocent and easy to manipulate some might say. The road he is taking may not be full of surprises but it is an entertaining one - and one where the viewer and the audience overall can have fun watching the journey of those involved.

Again do not expect too much from this - it is a decent comedy, nothing more but also nothing less.

It's a comedy set in 2022, mainly in Berlin, Germany, with a few scenes in Pennsylvania. It follows an Amish teenager, with his family's blessing, taking his rumspringa time in Germany.

Jacob Hostetler (Jonas Holdenrieder) is the hapless Amish lad sent to Germany along with the Hostetler's family Bible. After his rumspringa, he must find some distant German Mennonite Hostetler relatives to learn more about his ancestry. However, when he arrives at the airport in Berlin and hails a taxi, through a mixup, Jacob loses his money, belongings, and Bible as he politely allows a young woman to have the cab.

Jacob wanders Berlin's streets until he sees a young man he initially thinks is Amish because of his suspenders, beard, and lack of mustache. He follows Alf (Timur Bartels) around until finally, Alf offers him a place to stay for a short time. Alf is an architecture student preparing for a major exam. Jacob meets Alf's roommate, Bo (Rauand Taleb), and Alf's girlfriend, Freja (Tijan Marei). He also eventually meets the young woman who had left in the cab with his possessions. Ina (Gizem Emre) is an artist and becomes Jacob's romantic interest.

The film follows Jacob's introduction to European culture and the response of his new friends to Jacob's simpler approach to life. Eventually, Jacob needs to decide whether to return from rumspringa to Pennsylvania.

"Rumspringa" has some positive aspects. Alf, Freja, and Ina appreciate aspects of Jacob's culture and background. Some of the cross-cultural humor is funny, but some veers closer to mocking Amish naiveté. It's a thin line as Jacob's list of the "sins" he has committed--ranging from roller skating to sex--becomes a valuable piece of art. There is little attempt at Amish accuracy, but that's not the point in a German comedy. One wonders if this kind of comedy would be made of other visible conservative minority groups. But some of it was funny.

A really nice and funny movie in general that manages to mix deep moments and very light and funny moments very well. To be honest some passages are not very sensible but we do not notice much because the film goes very well entertaining and amusing from start to finish.

Was a great fun movie, with a positive vibe on how there is a happy balance that we should all aim for between modern technology life, and the extreme backward/purist way of life. Sure it may have been seen before, but the Amish take on things was kinda fun. Watched in English translation as was lazy and didn't want to read, but willing to watch again in German to get the true feeling from the actors.

I've read reviews that want an LGBTQ+ result, based on two guys becoming friends. I remember when you could be friends without it having to result in a relationship, no matter what gender. Closeness doesn't equal relationship, it's ok and normal to be a friendship, no matter how close. Hey, I live those every day.

How many gags can one make when a young Amish fellow gets dropped into Berlin with no one to guide him? As some may know, as a young child, Amish kids get a chance to experience modern society before they choose to commit to the life Amish lead, which is called Rumspringa. Thus as our protagonist's flight arrives in Berlin, his bags get taken by mistake and he befriends another young guy with an Amish styled beard. He shows him the ropes on partying and women. From this point, which started off with potential, turns into a corny teen relationship story as the Amish guy of course slowly breaks with his traditions yet conversely the modern people he meets are enamored by the sustainable way the Amish live so now he's hip. Will the Amish bloke party too hard, find romance or be happy to return home? Overall, it had light jokes, terribly written character interactions, unconvincing character decisions yet the story was moderately engaging and the cinematographer framed up a couple eye catching shots. A far cry from "Kingpin".