Jonathan

What a powerful film! Janis Niehohner is brillant in the role of Jonathan. He gives an award winning performance. He captures the frustration of the young man trying to bring to light the past. The supporting cast is excellent also.There is drama in the film but no histrionics. Nothing is overplayed. The story unfolds like a slice of life as the characters live their lives, loving, suffering, forgiving and death.Great cinematography! Perfect editing. Beautiful soundtrack. Easy to follow fDon’t miss this moving film.

The title of this excellent film derives from its main character, Jonathan, brilliantly played by 24 year-old German actor Jannis Niewohner (Maximilian, etc., see IMDb). On a secluded farm, he has been the sole caregiver for his father who is apparently dying from AIDS (I don't recall the disease actually being mentioned). His mother was purportedly killed in an automobile accident years earlier. Her sister, Jonathan's aunt, lives with them and helps to a degree mainly tending to farm business. Jonathan has given up more than three years of his young life taking care of his sick father in every possible way without any significant assistance. He has numerous tasks which are enough to crush both one's spirit and physical being. Nevertheless, he prevails. His strength is admirable even though he is angry, tired, and frustrated. His father is a handful in more ways than one. There are many who may very well identify with this film.Then, one day, out of the blue comes an old friend of his father. Jonathan's aunt is NOT pleased to see him and even threatens him to leave. However, Jonathan's father responds favorably. The stranger stays and J's father begins to immediately feel considerably better. He is still physically dying but his overall outlook dramatically improves.We now come to the heart of this drama and I don't want to give away any "Spoilers". So here are some questions about this film that need to be considered. Who is this stranger? Where has he been for so many past years? Why is the aunt so antagonistic? Why does J's father respond the way he does? Was Jonathan told the truth about his mother's death? How does Jonathan respond to this stranger? The revelations and outcome for this extraordinary story make for a most emotional climax. These are not cardboard characters. The acting is uniformly superb and most credible. Kudos to all. Be warned: This is an R rated film and difficult to watch. But, in the end, its depth and meaningful resolution are exceedingly moving and make for worthwhile viewing. It is in German with English sub-titles that offer no problem. The lead actor - Jannis Niewohner - playing Jonathan is considered a star in European circles, and rightfully so. I would also highly recommend the other films in which he appears that can be seen or ordered here on Amazon.

Jannis is an amazing actor, but the whole cast was excellent in this powerful movie about love, loss, frustration, anger, acceptance (and everything inbetween). Subtitles are good, but I don't feel that I lost any of the visual cues and depictions by having to read the subtitles. Highly recommended

Great, great movie. So touchung and revealing. Jannis Niewohner is an exceptional actor. What can’t w3 get German movies with Jannis Niewohner with English subtitles. Would love to see Der Uberlaufer and Narziss und Goldmund!......please start importing these movies that star Niewohner.

The fact that this movie was in German and I had to read the English subtitles, did not negatively impact my understanding or enjoyment in the least. This is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. It was outstanding on so many levels, the story line, acting and the portrayal of a saying we used when I was a hospice worker "he died well." All the family secrets that did not surface until the end, is common with many families. This movie was so real and done with impeccable taste and sensitivity. I'd give it more stars if I could.

A powerful film of deception and reconciliation. The gay/straight theme highlights inevitable misunderstandings between generations. Family secrets are revealed when a mysterious lover shows to help a father with end-stage cancer. At times farm life and the dying process are a little graphic. But, the story is told with honesty and respect. Beautifully shot, well acted. And, the title character is not bad to look at.

It is a small movie about ordinary people. The photography is extraordinary and the actors are quite good.I did not find the subtitles a problem: the dialogue is not complex, the emotions are clear.

. This a story about secrets in families, sons and distant fathers, dying and trying to live fully. It has a level of clarity and power that you don't see in most Hollywood films.The acting is excellent, as is the photography. if the story line interests you, I think you'll gain a lot from this movie.

This isn't really a gay film. Jonathan gets a girl-friend & looks after his dying father, as well as running the farm. Jonathan is rather emotionally immature. A man, Ron, turns up & starts to help look after father, & it transpires that Ron was father's lover, & Jonathan blames them for his mother's death & gets angry. His girl-friend tells him to sort himself out, &, as his father dies, Jonathan gradually comes to terms with the situation, particularly when he sees how Ron loves his father. Rather a drawn-out film

Was OK. Not one to watch again

Ein Film der von der ersten bis zur letzten Kameraeinstellung alles einfängt , was das Leben zu bieten hat . Die Rollen sind alle grandios besetzt und gehen ungemein tiefgründig und gleiten nie ins klischeehafte ab . Ein Film über das Sterben aber auch über das wirkliche Leben , das nicht gelebte Leben und die Frage nach Schuld und Verletzungen an die geliebten Menschen . Sätze wie " Wenn du sterben willst , dann musst du zuerst das Leben annehmen" und "Dein Vater hat nichts falsch gemacht , er konnte dabei nur nichts richtig machen" drücken so viel aus.Ein Film wie das pure Leben in allen Facetten.

Ein schwerer Film, der nur langsam in Fahrt kommt. Eine distanzierte Vater-Sohn-Beziehung, beherrscht durch Nicht-Ausgesprochenes, Geheimnisse und Lügen ... Erst als der Vater den Kampf gegen den Krebs zu verlieren droht, räumt er auf in seinem Leben, wenn auch erst nicht wirklich freiwillig. Die Rolle der Schwester Martha bleibt mir irgendwie unklar, sehr realistisch fand ich die Unbeholfenheit zwischen Vater und Sohn.Erst am Ende konnte mich der Film berühren.Tolle Schauspielleistungen ließen mich trotz gefühlter Längen am Ball bleiben.Nicht schlecht.

Erstklassige Schauspieler, sehr sorgfältig gedichtetes und feinfühlig inszeniertes Kino mit einer emotional packenden Geschichte. Allerdings kein Film, den man ein zweites Man schauen möchte -- daher weiß ich nicht, ob man die DVD nicht lieber ausleihen sollte. Leider scheint auch mit der Tonabmischung etwas nicht ganz rund zu sein; ich musste den Film schließlich mit Untertiteln schauen.