Impoverished film maker Anderson had a brief and passionate affair with dancer Lina, which ended when she suddenly left him on a beach in Montenegro, and the loss has tainted his love life ever since. When he returns to Berlin the two meet again and there is a predictable will they/won't they element to what follows. This is redeemed by the complexities we see in the relationship and the struggles each has to voice their own needs (the premise of the film is based on the tale of how the real life Holdridge and Saasen got together).
Running alongside this is a look into the relationship of the couple Anderson is staying with. She wants a threesome, he says he does too, but who is kidding who? Rupert Friend is excellent as the not-quite-as-up-for-it-as-he'd-like-to-be Stephen showing a real talent for comedy. The cute kitten is a further bonus!
There are faults of course. The 'film within a film' narration by Anderson's professional character can be as annoying as such devices often are, and there is a cartoonish element that seems at odds with the rest of the movie. None of which can quite strip this film of it's charm and sense of involvement.
The film's low budget may have been a bonus, for it forced the directors to use whatever locations they could get, and this adds a layer of seedy realism. There are some gorgeous Montenegro based scenes, but the city of Berlin is a major asset in creating a sense of excitement, diversity and experimentation. It's hard to watch this film and not immediately want to go there.
The film gets a US release next month. It would be good to see it come to the UK too.
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