The Bunker

I'm really quite shocked that no one besides myself has taken the trouble to spend a few minutes ranting about this wonderfully dark and weird comedy. If you are reading this review then I highly recommend you track down and watch this gem.

This film was on television a couple of days ago and being a German film about a bunker I had foregone the conclusion that this would certainly be something to do with the war- not even close. I was further enticed by the mention in the description of perversity because it was late at night and I'm a guy that had no plans that particular evening.

All that aside, there was no perversity. There were one or two comical sexual scenes but this film is a brilliantly awkward comedy based around the strange characters that make up this secluded family, the student who comes to stay with them and the mysterious "Heinrich", who I shall offer no further description of lest it somehow depreciate his mystery.

I cannot claim to have seem many funny German films, I'm sure they must exist but I can't think of any other ones that have made it as far as for me to find on English television. Usually anything in German on English television will in some way reference the war, something that this doesn't. So in that context it's special.

I almost missed this film, but I was unable to find it to download anywhere so stayed up and watched it and am very thankful I did. I'm not sure why it isn't more widely known because it's really great and stayed with me for quite some time. I think I saw it about a week or two ago and it keeps popping back into my mind. Anyway, enjoy it if you can find it.

This film is about a man, known only as the student, who has sought out a quiet place to live while he works on a scientific theory. The place he finds is a home to a family of three that just so happens to be an isolated bunker. The family is odd but seem harmless enough that he chooses to move in. Not having all the rent, he is allowed to stay with the understanding that he can help out with chores and such to cover his outstanding debt.

The family is indeed odd being as it consists of the father, who considers himself an intellectual, the mother, who has a few issues and a son, who claims to be 8 but looks more like he is in his mid to late 20's. The son is the main focus in the family. He is homeschooled by his father but the mother is not satisfied with the boy's progress and she suggests that the student start tutoring the boy. There is an understanding that by doing this the student will have covered his debt. The parents have certain aspirations for their son and take his education quite seriously but we quickly learn that the boy is emotionally, mentally and socially underdeveloped. Without giving out spoilers, this is the movie's plot.

There is more going on than what meets the eye with this film and the longer you watch, the weirder and more perverse it gets. The film isn't bad but you need to have an interest in strange movies to enjoy it. There are plenty of moments where you can find yourself looking at the screen sideways, asking WTF with this one.

The pace of this film is a bit slow but I guess it should be in order to grasp the horror of the weird moments. I felt the actors were good portraying the individual oddities of their characters thus keeping the viewer interested in trying to figure them out.

This type of film isn't really my cup of tea but there is an audience out there that appreciates this branch of horror. I would suggest that if you are interested in blood, guts and violence, you'll be disappointed. However, if you are into situational horror it might be just what you are looking for.

I like twisted movies. I always have. Germans are front runners when it's time to make something twisted without any logic or order, just for the sake of it. This movie is like some weird critique of parental education in our society (in a slightly disturbing way).

This is not twisted enough for my taste. There's too much room in between where nothing happens. Asian directors would manage to create tension out of thin air. That's what's missing here. Also, more violence.

At times, I thought that the director was trying to copy David Lynch. If he was, he earned a hard fail in my book. Lynch (or anyone else for that matter) shouldn't be copied. One should try to create his own style.

I'm glad I caught this little feature, because it still beats most mainstream movies by far. If I had a choice between Vin Diesel's stupid face or something like this, I'd choose this every time. Some may the film a little sick (I've seen sicker), but it's definitely not filled with hidden advertising and/or propaganda. It's an honest first feature. 5.5/10

I'm not entirely positive what I just watched, but I know I enjoyed it? I think? I am not a stranger to an artsy film filled with hidden meaning, subtext and symbolism. However, I was definitely confused on the overall message of this piece... While still picking up on smaller themes and points, it felt like there was a broader intention that I was missing. Or maybe not, maybe it was just an absurdist piece and I'm reading too far into it.

One thing I will say that I particularly enjoyed was the broad range of emotions I felt throughout watching this. One moment you're confused, the next moment youre endeared, next you're grossed out and then all of a sudden you're spooked. Its very funny and very f'ked up. I appreciated that aspect.

This movie looked great, I loved the costumes and sets and the storyline was interesting. Having grown up on "Clifford" with Martin Short, I was immediately drawn to an adult dressing up as a child (this movie is nothing like Clifford other than in that aspect haha) Just coming from a standpoint of a cohesive storyline, I wish they had delved deeper into one of the plot points more, just to give some semblance of a clearer point or focus. Whether it was the odd child who's age was never explained, the parents strange proclivities, the supernatural aspect or the students background and studies.

While it is hard to truly and accurately judge the acting as an English speaker, I thought it was phenomenal on all fronts. Each actor had shining moments, particularly the student and the son and I thought the four of them worked splendidly as an ensemble.

This is one of the longer reviews I have left so this movie obviously made me think/feel something. Which, what more can we ask for? Would recommend, but it's not for everyone... it is undoubtedly polarizing.

This is well worth catching; early on, it began to have a tone reminiscent of 'The Enigma Of Kaspar Hauser', but that was only because I love the latter film, and one actor's role resembles that of Bruno S.

Der Bunker (caught on its UK TV showing a few days ago) is totally original; the principal performers are, as they would have to be, excellent. Odd questions briefly emerged that relate more to, perhaps, traditional 'survivalist' themed films, but they become irrelevant, as this one is out on its own.

I also will look out for the performers elsewhere, based on this. Recommended for fans of the offbeat, or those bored with Hollywood!