Christina

This story's theme may have been dark but it enlightens us to the grim reality of war. Don't miss the opening minutes of the film when actual post-war footage of Germany and its "survivors" set the tone for Christina's psychological dilemma. Sometimes, none of life's choices are pleasant and Christina's were especially difficult. Perhaps we all need the relentless pursuit of a "Reinhardt" in our lives to admit and accept our painful choices. And we need the love and acceptance of a Billy Calvert to catch us when we break. The actors were topnotch with convincing accents as they led you through the twists of the film. You should be prepared to cowl in your seat and bite your fingernails as this plot is compelling -- A must see!

I'm not sure why my view is so different from other reviews but it is. I watched this movie from beginning to end in the hope that I can prevent as many people as possible from wasting their time doing the same. Originally Christina may have been a beautiful story. Unfortunately, the translation to film is in almost every regard poorly done. Perhaps with enough budget, a rewritten script and different actors it could be a good watch but the makers had none of these.

Set in Berlin after the end of WWII, it is a dark secret tale in the family of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" or "Sophie's Choice". This movie has none of their subtlety and though filmed on a single set like Woolf the claustrophobia doesn't enhance the story the way Mike Nichols' directing did. It just makes "Christina" claustrophobic.

The title character is unconvincing as someone who lived through the horror of Berlin at the end of the war. In Nicki Aycox's defense it is her lines more than anything that make her seem not tragic but ridiculous. We know there were "bombs everywhere" and that "they just kept falling" because she tells us six separate times. (And of course because most students of history knew that before they watched)

After the first half hour I wanted the GI boyfriend to either walk out or kick the German police officer out of the apartment. But instead he spends most of his time being dumbstruck. The police officer's motivation is never clear. He's investigating a crime but why, everything that happened in Berlin at the end of WWII this particular case is so important is never revealed.

But when Billy talks about his visit to the death camps I just wanted to smack everyone involved. In one statement the horror that was The Holocaust was belittled and used as a metaphor for an infinitely smaller and morally complicated event. The audacity of that one aspect of the film alone is enough to make this a Must (not) See film.

Christina is a moving and powerful film. It is cleverly staged and lighted. The performances of the 3 main characters are all compelling. It is a dramatic, captivating story that is remarkable relevant to today's world of seemingly endless war. The effects of war, subtle and profound, are presented in a way that makes the living hell become real for those fortunate to have not experienced it first hand. The fact that the film was shot in a condensed time frame, sequentially and on a limited budget make it even more remarkable. The entire movie is shot on one set, yet the camera movements and angles amplify the dialog very effectively and focus the attention of the viewer.

This is a serious morality play. With only 3 characters, played in a single room, it begins slowly and builds to a gripping climax. The German police inspector and the woman he intends to arrest and deliver to the American authorities for trial are superbly played by Stephen Lang and Nicki Aycox, respectively. The American soldier, well-played by Jordan Belfi, represents American decency, as well as the general naivete of American soldiers in general -- a naivete commented upon by the inspector. Billed as based on actual events, I surmise that it was crafted out of a number of real-life events in Germany after the Russians took over Berlin. I strongly recommend it.

Screenwriters spend years learning their craft and the first thing they are taught is to bring the action OUTSIDE of four walls, plus scenes shouldn't last longer than a page or two. This film throws out all screenwriting convention and keeps the actors talking in one, claustrophobic apartment for the entirety of the film. Not only is the lack of action and scenery boring, but it just made me, the viewer antsy wanting a new scene, a new locale, an introduction of a NEW CHARACTER (another actor), ANYTHING to free the viewer of this ultimate boredom. The actress is quite good and engaging, but she doesn't have much to work with here. The male lead is just not good, or maybe all he's been given are reactions to the plot. I've always liked Stephen Lang, but as a German inspector, his performance seems stiff and uncomfortable. Consequently, this film goes absolutely nowhere other than to anger the viewer!! 👎🏼👎🏼