Bruno Ganz is currently very present in our cinemas. In the film adaptation of Thomas Hürlimann's 1988 novel "Der grosse Kater", Ganz plays the Swiss president, known as Kater, who is at a crossroads in his political career. The fact that his poll ratings are in the basement is actually only the least of his problems. Behind the President's back, his closest ally, parliamentary group leader Dr. Stotzer, known as Pfiff (Ulrich Tukur), and press chief Magun (Justus von Dohnányi), of all people, are planning a nasty intrigue to expose Kater in public during the visit of the Spanish royal couple. And Kater's marriage also seems to be at an end. For his wife (Marie Bäumer) fears that her husband wants to use the serious illness of their common son for his political purposes. But in the end, the great Kater will surprise everyone, as he makes a completely unexpected decision...
For his adaptation of Hürlimann's novel, director Wolfgang Panzer has rounded up a great cast. Whether Marie Bäumer, Ulich Tukur, Justus von Dohnányi or Christiane Paul, they all deliver absolutely convincing performances alongside the confidently acting Bruno Ganz. Tukur and von Dohnányi are particularly inspiring as the masterminds behind the intrigue against the German president. Watching their devious machinations is as entertaining as it is exciting.
The staging, on the other hand, is not always as convincing as the actors. At times, the drama feels a little too ponderous, stilted and overstuffed. But then there are always moments that are just great. For example, a very personal moment between the President of Germany and the King of Spain, which is undoubtedly one of the most moving scenes in the film. Everything is just right here: Bruno Ganz plays great, the staging is moving and coherent and the music also provides enormous goosebumps.
Unfortunately, not all moments of the film are so successful. Rather, most of the time it oscillates somewhat indecisively between clever political drama with pointed dialogues and arguably maudlin kitsch on a mediocre TV level. For friends of the German drama, however, the film is due to the good actors and the inherently good story despite the unfortunately somewhat too obvious weaknesses still worth seeing with restrictions!
Ein Artikel von Frankfurt-Tipp
