A heartfelt drama, the movie In the Aisles brings unlikely people together and deals with personalities, dreams and personal misfortunes. The movie has excellent acting, direction and cinematography and is now available on DVD and VOD. The film was made in Germany and has easy to read English subtitles.
The film opens with supermarket boss Rudi (Andreas Leupold) giving new employee Christian (Franz Rogowski) a tour of the facility in which he will be working as a stock person. He will start off in beverages and report to long time employee and department head Bruno Karpov (Peter Kurth). One day while working he sees long time worker Marion Koch (Sandra Hüller) who calls him a newbie. She really likes him he’s told by Irina (Ramona Kunse-Libnow), but tells Christian that she is married. Irina implores him not to hurt her by getting involved.
Director Thomas Stuber moves his film along at a slow pace letting his audience digest each of the characters. Each of his three main characters, Christian, Bruno and Marion are fleshed out well and connect in some way before affecting each other. As each gets involved in their work day, Stuber reveals their past, desires and goals. When a situation happens the worlds of the three come crashing down and show another side of the coin.
It’s a fine drama about life and its trials leading to a solemn moment in time where each become vulnerable. The three actors who play the main characters Franz Rogowski, Peter Kurth and Sandra Hüller are very good in their roles slowly revealing their character’s secrets with even a twist to make the film work.
Filmproduktion / Anke Neugebauer. Courtesy of Music Box Films.
A real good storyteller I love the opening scene that’s a ballet to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite No. 3 in D Major as the store’s aisles light up and the forklifts and a motorized floor washer dance. The end song during the credits,” A True Friend is Hard to Find” by Son House, sums up the movie and leaves the audience with a feeling of hope for the characters.
BONUS EXTRAS:
“Franz Rogowski on In the Aisles” Franz talks about his character and the film in general.
“Franz Rogowski: Shooting Star” shows Franz accepting the Shooting Star award at the Berlin International Film Festival for his work thus far. He talks about how he arrived in the field and what he does to stay in front of the camera. He also gives some pointers.
“Press Conference from the Berlinale” The Berlin International Film Festival where Sandra Huller, Franz Rogwski, Peter Kurth, Director Thomas Stubor and others field questions.
In the Aisles has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains language and smoking. The film plays out in German with easy to read English subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good film with a compelling storyline. (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Sandra Hüller, Franz Rogowski, Peter Kurth
Director: Thomas Stuber
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains language, smoking
Genre: Foreign
Running Time: 2 hr. 5 min.
Video Release Date: September 17, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: June 14, 2019
Language: German with English Subtitles
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.66:1
Subtitles: English and English SDH
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Music Box Films
Released on: DVD, VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
