Steven Soderbergh got his fill with Hollywood many years ago and has been making experimental films for a while now. His films are not about the films anymore but only about him and his desire to experiment. Whether it be the super-kitsch of the Ocean's Eleven franchise or the coldness of the all-digital Bubble or this 'too-literal' homage to the 40s noir Hollywood. Since he gave up on his films for himself, his films have given up. Take the Good German for example. A stylistic success but a horrible failure in every other department. Soderbergh is so engulfed in technique that he has no energy left for the plot or what is possibly the films biggest flaw -- the awful characterizations and performances. Yes, George Cloony who I generally like very much plays one of his worst roles ever. Toby Mcguire is probably the worst with Cate Blanchett a close second. The characters seem to be buckling under tremendous pressure and are truly having a miserably time adjusting to the forced period mood.
The Good German is two films playing at the same time. The visuals are straight 1940s with over-exposed, high-contrast images and leisurely editing but the dialogue and the characters are 2000s. This anachronism makes this film that would have otherwise been evocative rather difficult to watch.
The Good German is two films playing at the same time. The visuals are straight 1940s with over-exposed, high-contrast images and leisurely editing but the dialogue and the characters are 2000s. This anachronism makes this film that would have otherwise been evocative rather difficult to watch.