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9.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 9.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Mitternachtsliebe remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for black-and-white tension and don’t mind if the pacing feels a bit like a sputtering engine, then sure, give it a go. It’s for the folks who like seeing characters get cornered. If you need your movies to have perfect logic or breakneck speed, you’ll probably find this one a bit of a slog. 🎞️
The whole setup with the bank clerk is pretty standard. He steals the cash, he panics, and then he bumps into the wrong guy. But there’s something about the way the convict looms over him that feels… sticky. Like you need to go wash your hands after watching it.
Pierre Batcheff carries a lot of the weight here. He’s got this way of looking at the camera that makes you think he’s bored of the crime before it even happens. It reminds me a bit of the mood in Dokuro, where the silence does more heavy lifting than the dialogue ever could.
Then there’s the girlfriend. She’s the wild card. Every time she enters a scene, the movie stops feeling like a thriller and starts feeling like a messy family dinner. She’s helping him, sure, but she looks like she’d rather be anywhere else. It’s a strange dynamic. 🤨
It’s not quite as polished as Out of the Clouds, but it has more soul. There are moments where the camera just lingers on a chair for way too long. It feels like the director forgot to yell 'cut.' Honestly? I kind of liked it. It makes the world feel real.
The dialogue is stiff in spots, though. Like the writers were trying to sound hard-boiled but kept hitting the edges of the table. You’ll catch yourself laughing when you probably shouldn’t.
If you’re looking for a smooth ride, look elsewhere. This is a bumpy, old-fashioned flick that doesn't care if you're keeping up. Sometimes that's the best kind of movie night, isn't it? Just don't expect it to change your life. 🕰️