Long Hello and Short Goodbye
July. 15,1999Similar titles
Reviews
Absolutely brilliant
When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.
Can anyone tell me what happens in the end...I didn't really get it... Do Ben and Melody die?Cos they can't really go to a hospital cos they would have to tell the doctors or someone what happened...I always get annoyed when I don't know what'll happen....!!!I found the film very good though...very good actors/actresses...But I didn't get that bondage thing going on between Melody's boss and that woman...?! Well anyway...I liked the love-story between Ben and Melody...it was very sweet...So please can someone answer my question above and tell me what they think happened to them both...I should really stop taking films so serious... Thanks for reading my comment...!
During my last trip to Germany I had the pleasure of finally seeing this film, after having been a fan of the American script for years. Okay, they wimped out and simplified the structure. And what the heck is that sado-masochistic relationship between the detective and the hit woman all about?! But it was still a kick to see this very odd German version of "Long Hello." Lots of flashy visuals, good sack scenes between the leads, plenty of twists, and that great conclusion. Some striking images you probably won't forget. Can't wait for the English-language film--what the heck is taking so long?! But this one is sure worth a look while we wait for the Hollywood version to film from the original script, they say, finally, this year?! Let's hope so! And I got to add, love the title.
This film is from my country, Germany, and is pure entertainment for people who like film noir mazes, with shifting plots and a grin on its face. My favorite from recent memory, along with Run Lola Run, this one also says something substantial about human values, wrapped up in the smooth film-making of Rainer Kaufman. The game and the style are much fun, but it also has a great love story. The last image of the film of the two [doomed?] lovers is a classic. Watch this film for me!
A friend of mine gave me this movie because I was always a big fan of the American script, which I first read about eight years ago, one of those scripts that keeps getting close to production, with a thousand lives. This version of the story, filmed in Germany, simplifies the structure of the original piece, and in the process actually weakens the characterization--and muddles the whole point. I mean, the script was a structural tour-de-force! Why did the German film-makers simplify it? Cold feet, I understand. But what is left is still an edgy neo-noir that polorized German audiences into "love it" or "hate it" camps. The director uses a huge arsenal of visual gimmicks including shifting depth-of-field within a shot, and the end result is cool, sexy film-making. Nicolette Krebitz rules the screen, Dietrich Hollinderbaumer oozes menace, and Sunnyi Melles and Axel Milberg steal the film in their funny supporting roles as a couple of con men. The conclusion was filmed exactly as originally written, as far as I can remember, and is really fantastic. All in all, it was a surprise and a pleasure to come across this movie, although I still have my fingers crossed for the American version some day.