Eismayer

After the last scene of this movie, my first feeling was: an interesting gay-themed feel-good story, but too farfetched and unrealistic! Until a closing text proved me totally wrong: it's based on true events, both original main characters are still happily married, and before the closing credits they even showed a picture of this unlikely but radiant couple on their wedding day!

It's already a fascinating story as it is, without the hindsight knowledge. In the Austrian army, at the end of the 90's, being gay is not so much a taboo, but still considered to be less masculine and the focus of ridicule. It's hard enough for young gay recruit Falak to hold his own, but his superior, closeted major Eismayer, has to hide himself behind a mask of extreme sterness, all the time raging and shouting, and bullying all his inferiors. Gradually however a surprising secret love-affair between the two unfolds. What remains as a major barrier, is the fear of Eismayer to out himself to his army-unit.

I guess the story is here and there slightly romanticized for the sake of the movie and the entertainment value. For who's interested: on wikipedia you can find some really enlightening background material, among other things an extensive article in an Austrian newspaper, dated 2014, with an interview with both men on account of their recent marriage. This article was by the way the source that triggered director David Wagner's interest in making this film.

The settings in the army barracks, the military drills and the field exercises are totally authentic (thanks to the support of the Austrian state army), and both main actors Gerhard Liebmann and Luka Dimic do a great job, especially Liebmann's part as the raging Eismayer must have been a real tour de force. Cinematographically this movie may be not very inventive or impressive; but as a well acted, uplifting story of how love can blossom even in the most unexpected circumstances it's totally rewarding!

The once-controversial topic of gays in the military has settled down somewhat from its flashpoint status years ago (even if it's not yet everything that members of the LGBTQ+ community would like it to be). But, in the not-too-distant past, it was still a hot button topic, one that made life difficult for those in the military, especially for those in relationships who served together, despite guaranteed provisions against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Those are among the challenges addressed in writer-director David Wagner's third feature outing, a fact-based tale about a closeted (and married) tough-as-nails Austrian military drill sergeant (Gerhard Liebmann) who clandestinely falls for an out-and-proud recruit (Luka Dimic). While the story and sentiments are truly touching, the overall execution, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. Perhaps the biggest problem here is the screenplay, which is loaded with developments that unfold at an unrealistically fast pace, creating awkward transitions and, consequently, diminishing the picture's credibility. The effect of that is pacing that comes across as needlessly rushed, something that could have been resolved by simply taking a little more time to allow the narrative to develop, especially given the film's comparatively short 1:27:00 runtime. The character development feels exaggerated at times, too, with the sergeant vacillating wildly between over-the-top beast and tender loving partner and with the recruit appearing as a little too defiant and flamboyant to be convincing. And then there's the cinematography, which at times is so dark that it's virtually impossible for viewers to discern what's going on, particularly in an initial intimate sequence that's about as murky as the ocean floor. It's regrettable that this offering gets so much wrong, because it's a heartfelt story that deserves a more effective telling. There's a lot to be said for sharing a touching tale such as this, but the least its creators can do is tell it with earnest believability, something that's largely absent here.

I approached this film with some trepidation due to the setting in the army, something I'm not usually keen on watching. I needn't have feared. Army life was an integral part of the film, just as the burgeoning fascination of Charles Eismayer and Mario Falak with each other was. This was based on a real-life romance although I don't know how much was fictionalised.

Swarthy Luka Dimic playing Mario would be enough to melt anyone's heart. He did a great job, at his real age of 36, of portraying a much younger recruit. Gerhard Liebmann plays a wonderful rôle of playing the buttoned-up, closeted sergeant major.

As the story unfolds via a lovemaking scene of exquisite tenderness and passion (my goodness, Dimic's lips) we reach the inevitable conclusion. The photo of the real couple shown at the end is a good finishing touch.

For those who ask what a hunky youth sees in a far older martinet, well, there are many such relationships in both the gay and straight worlds. True love knows no age boundaries. My soul mate is thirty five years younger than me!

This film should appeal not only to niche audiences but to a wider public accepting of the revolution in morality that has taken place over the past few decades. A definite recommend.

When a closeted lieutenant eismayer falls for an openly gay soldier falak, he isn't sure what comes next. The first half of the film is strutting and play, between the lieutenant and the recruit. But eismayer and his wife finally have a moment of understanding. And when a health issue takes center stage, how will that affect everyone? Can falak and eismayer ever really have a relationship? One is old school, and has not had experience with the new, modern relationships. It's pretty simplistic, but good. Written and directed by david wagner. Has won a bunch of film fest awards. Filmed in austria and germany, acc to imdb.

It takes balls to make a movie about a gay couple in the Austrian army knowing that it's such a niche audience.

It takes even bigger balls to do what Eismayer did. In real life.

And it takes the biggest balls ever to be Mario Falak. To live openly as a gay man in the Austrian military at that time.

Respect to all!

Now, about the movie. Well... nothing special to be honest. Very low budget. Very bare bones, minimalistic production. Nothing fancy here. It's just good! After all, it's the story that matters the most, not the production.

However, as others have pointed out already, the movie leaves a lot of info out. We don't get to see how the two men fall in love. One moment they are having sex for the first time, the next thing we know, they are living together and behaving like a couple who's been together for 20 years. It doesn't work that way. It took 43 minutes for the movie to get to the part where they cross that bridge. It shouldn't have.

But these are all pacing and storytelling issues. Can't expect perfection from a small team. I'm just glad that movies like this one are being made, for people like me, who want those kind of stories. And I'm here for it! Considering what they had to work with, I'd say they did a fantastic job.