Nur nicht weich werden, Susanne!: A strange little trip through old-school movie fame

Is it worth your time?

If you've got a soft spot for weird, forgotten relics from the 1930s, then yeah, you’ll probably find something to love here. It’s not for everyone, especially if you need your pacing to be snappy or your stories to feel modern. If you want something that smells like old celluloid and feels a little bit dusty, pull up a chair.

Susanne is just trying to get by, and watching her get tossed around by a studio publicity stunt is both funny and kind of depressing. It’s got that specific, slightly off-kilter vibe that you don't really see anymore.

The industry grind

The movie doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the film industry, and honestly, that’s where it shines. It feels like the writers had a few axes to grind with the way studios handled people back then. There’s a scene early on where Susanne is just waiting around on a set that feels painfully authentic—you can almost smell the stale coffee and cigarette smoke.

It’s not as polished as something like Inspiration, but it’s got way more teeth. The whole kidnapping PR scheme is such a sleazy plot point, but it works because the characters treat it like just another Tuesday.

• The lighting in the studio scenes is surprisingly moody.
• Some of the extras in the background look like they haven't slept in three days.
• The dialogue is sharp, maybe even a little too sharp for its own good.

A bit of a weird rhythm

Sometimes the movie just stops dead to let a character ramble, and I’m honestly here for it. It doesn't have that frantic energy of, say, The Barnyard, but it doesn't need it. It’s more interested in the quiet, sad moments when nobody is looking at the camera.

There’s a moment towards the middle where the film almost turns into a satire, and it’s genuinely hilarious. Then it pulls back, gets serious again, and leaves you wondering if you were supposed to laugh or feel bad. I’m still not sure.

It reminds me a bit of the tension you find in Des Prokurators Tochter, where you’re never quite sure if the rug is about to be pulled out from under you. It’s messy, sure. But it’s a good kind of messy. 🎞️