Capsule Review: Good Bye Lenin! (2003)

Set in 1989, and detailing the changes in Germany immediately following the fall of the Berlin wall, Good Bye Lenin! focuses on the young Alex Kerner (Daniel Brühl from Inglourious Basterds) and his attempts to hide the shocking changes from his mother after she awakes from a heart-attack induced coma. As Alex goes to ridiculous lengths to hide the truth from his frail parent, he finds his own life filled with a sense of nostalgia for the East Germany of his past, while resisting the massive amount of changes pouring in from the west. A sly comic commentary, the film has moments of genuine drama and a collection of winning performances. Pairs nicely with The Lives of Others (2006).