Sie und die Drei: A Waiter, A Hotel, And A Whole Lot Of Running Around

Is it worth the watch?

If you've got a soft spot for grainy, black-and-white European dramas where everyone wears suits that fit perfectly, then yeah, give this a spin. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon. If you’re looking for high-octane action or modern twists, you’ll probably be bored to tears within twenty minutes.

The whole thing takes place in this grand Hamburg hotel. There’s something about the way the cameras move through the lobby that feels like being stuck in a dream you can’t wake up from. It's claustrophobic in the best way possible.

Our lead, the waiter, is just a guy trying to do his job. Then he spots the bad guys. It’s not exactly James Bond, but that’s kind of why it works. It feels smaller. More dangerous, maybe?

The dialogue is fast and snappy, which is a nice change of pace. Sometimes it feels like they’re trying to cram an entire novel into one scene. Wait, did he just say that? Yeah, they move quick.

Odd bits and pieces

• The lighting in the back office scenes is surprisingly moody. Almost like a film noir, but in a hotel kitchen.
• I spent way too much time looking at the background extras. Some of them are just holding trays and looking terrified, which is honestly pretty relatable.
• The way they handle the stolen papers is almost comical. It’s like a game of musical chairs with a set of blueprints.

The cast is huge for such a tight space. It feels like half of German cinema showed up to hang out in the hallway. Some of them have basically nothing to do but stand there and look suspicious. I didn't mind it, though.

It’s not as polished as A London Flat Mystery, which clearly had a bit more cash behind the camera. But there’s a grit here that I think is missing from the fancier stuff. It feels like a real movie made by people who cared about the craft.

The ending isn't exactly a shocker. You know how it’s going to go. But watching them get there—the running, the whispering in corners, the near-misses—is just a good time. It’s a bit messy, sure. But real life is messy too, right?

Anyway, keep an eye out for the scene in the elevator. It lingers just a second too long, and you can see the actors trying to figure out where to put their hands. I laughed. Maybe you will too. 🏨