7.5/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 7.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Fräulein Hoffmanns Erzählungen remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for 1930s German cinema or just want something that feels like a crisp, professional stage play, you’ll probably get a kick out of Fräulein Hoffmanns Erzählungen. It’s definitely not for the person who needs constant action or modern pacing. If you hate movies where people just sit around in offices and talk about import/export deals while trying to hide their true feelings, stay away.
The whole thing feels oddly polite, doesn't it? Anita Liman is this powerhouse of a business woman, but the film keeps trying to box her into these domestic tropes that feel a bit heavy-handed today.
Benno is supposed to be this cold-blooded shark, but the second he starts getting mushy, the movie loses a bit of its bite. It’s like when you watch The Greater Glory and wonder why they bothered with the sentimental stuff when the real tension was clearly somewhere else.
I found myself staring at the background extras more than the leads for a solid ten minutes. They really didn't know what to do with their hands. It’s kind of funny if you look for it. ☕
The chemistry between the leads is fine, I guess. It’s pleasant. Maybe that’s the problem. Everything is so tidy that you want someone to just throw a coffee mug across the room or admit they hate each other. There's a lot of dancing around the point, which is fine for a while, but it gets a little tiring by the second act.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it worth the hour or so it asks of you? Sure. It’s like having a lukewarm cup of coffee; not exactly what you hoped for, but it gets the job done on a Tuesday afternoon.