I found something cool for you romantics a love period piece movie with substance. Based on a true story the movie is called Young Goethe in Love and if you had a female English Literature teacher in High School like I did then you probably have heard of Johann Goethe. But, how he became the soul bearing person of historical importance is why you should see this film.
Growing up in a wealthy German family in the 18th century should have been an easy way to success, but not for Johann Goethe (Alexander Fehling) who flunked out of law school because he’d rather write poetry to the dismay of his lawyer father. In retribution for his squandering of a good education, his father sends him to a colleague to mend his ways at small provincial court. Here he gets assigned to Kestner (Moritz Bleibtreu) a highly respected lawyer who finds Johann an admirable assistant.
But, that’s not the whole story as Johann meets the comely young lady Lotte (Miriam Stein) at a dance and starts seeing her. This encourages him to write love poems and he starts to believe in himself and a future with Lotte. However, Lotte’s family has run into debt and may loose their home, so her father promises the young woman to the prosperous Kestner.
Well you know where this one is going, but even if it sounds a little like a Romeo and Juliet moment there’s more than meets the description. The romance comes from the story, the cinematography, costumes of the period and the actors who make the love triangle tragedy a splendid work of art. It’s easy to recommend Young Goethe in Love because it captures a budding relationship, challenges the couple, involves an historical setting and comes to an atypical resolution.
The actors are extremely good under the direction of writer Philipp Stoelzl, especially the two main characters of Johann and Lotte. Played by Alexander Fehling (Inglourious Basterds) and newcomer Miriam Stein the two light up the screen with their flowering relationship of what dreams are made. A perfect lost soul, Stoelzl’s characterization of Johann hits the mark as he meets all the challenges that lovers encounter. And Stein’s Lotte shows her vulnerability to both Johann and her father’s wishes in the midst of her first real encounter with love.
Young Goethe in Love has not been rated by the MPAA but contains adult situations including sex and brief nudity. The film also includes an act of violence and brief language. The movie is presented in German with English subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An impressive film that believers in love should not miss. (B)
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
