Skandal um die Fledermaus: A bit of a theatrical mess

Is it worth the time?

Honestly? Only if you’re a complete sucker for old German theater vibes. If you’re looking for a tight script or something that doesn't feel like it’s screaming at you, you will probably hate this. It’s loud, it’s frantic, and the plot is about as sturdy as a wet paper towel.

I found myself zoning out during the third act, just watching the wallpaper patterns behind the actors. That’s usually a bad sign.

The vibe

It’s all very stage-y. Everyone is projected to the back row of the theater, even though the camera is right there in their faces. There’s a scene where the characters are arguing over a contract that goes on for what feels like three days. I checked my watch. Twice.

Some of the supporting actors have this weird habit of standing perfectly still until it’s their turn to speak. It’s like they’re waiting for a cue that never comes. It reminded me a bit of the stiff energy in Are You a Mason?, but with less of the genuine charm.

Random thoughts

• The costumes are incredibly busy. My eyes actually hurt after a while.
• There’s a moment with a staircase that is clearly supposed to be funny, but it just lands with a thud.
• Adele Sandrock is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Maybe too much?
• The music swells at the weirdest times.

It’s not as smooth as Mitternachtsliebe, that’s for sure. That movie had a rhythm to it, whereas this one feels like it’s tripping over its own feet every ten minutes. 🎭

Sometimes you just want a movie to sit down and be quiet for a second. This film refuses to do that. It just keeps yapping. Still, there’s something oddly nostalgic about how hard they’re trying. You can practically see the sweat on their brows.

Not a classic. Not even close. But it's definitely a thing that exists.