Das Lied vom Leben: A weird, old-school mood piece

Is it worth your time?

If you're into early 1930s experimental stuff, absolutely. It's got this surreal, hazy vibe that feels less like a traditional drama and more like a fever dream. If you need a plot that makes perfect sense or characters who behave like real human beings, you’re gonna have a bad time. Stay away if you hate singing in your movies, because it’s there, and it’s… intense.

The whole thing kicks off with our lead, Margot Ferra, just flat-out saying no to a life of luxury with some Baron. Most movies from this time would make her the villain for that, but here, it’s treated like this big, bold act of freedom. The camera work is constantly drifting, and honestly, sometimes it feels like the director just forgot where the actors were standing.

Ernst Busch is in this, and he brings this weird, frantic energy that makes everyone else look like they’re standing in cement. There’s a specific sequence near the middle involving a set of stairs that goes on for way too long. I think the editor just fell asleep at the desk.

I kept thinking about The Last of Mrs. Cheyney while watching this, though they couldn't be more different. One is a polite social comedy, and the other feels like it’s trying to swallow its own tail. It’s definitely not as tight as Adventure Mad, but it has way more personality.

Some notes I scribbled down:

• The lighting in the garden scenes is suspiciously blurry. Was the lens dirty?
• Every time the Baron talks, I just want to go make a sandwich.
• The music is great, but it occasionally drowns out the dialogue entirely. 🎶
• Margot’s coat is incredible. I want that coat.

It’s not perfect. In fact, it’s a bit of a mess. But it’s a *fascinating* mess. Sometimes it feels like the actors are improvising their lines on the spot, and other times they are reciting poetry like they're in a trance. It’s got that weird, jagged edge that makes you wonder what the hell they were thinking in 1931. I don't know if I'd call it 'good,' but I definitely couldn't stop watching it.