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5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Susanne im Bade remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for black-and-white German cinema from the thirties, you might find some charm here. Everyone else? You’ll probably find it slow as molasses. It is a very specific type of film for people who enjoy watching polite people act shocked in rooms with high ceilings.
Schrack is a piece of work. He decides to paint Gussy naked because he thinks it’s art, but he forgets to mention that little detail to her. It is the kind of mid-century boundary-crossing that is supposed to be 'artistic temperament' but just feels creepy in hindsight.
The whole movie hinges on the painting being displayed at an exhibition. The tension is supposed to be high, but honestly, you can tell the movie is trying so hard to convince you that this painting is the end of the world. It’s funny how a little bit of paint can set an entire town into a tailspin.
There is this moment where the crowd gathers around the painting, and the gasps feel like they were rehearsed about fifty times too many. It feels stiff. Really stiff.
If you enjoyed the historical vibe of Dawn Over France, you might appreciate the production design here. It has that same heavy, mid-thirties weight to it. Though, it lacks the urgency that made Mutter und Kind feel like it actually had something to say about society.
There’s a weird rhythm to the scenes. Some go on for an eternity, while others end just as you’re starting to care. It’s not a masterpiece, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s just a snapshot of a different world where a sketch of a student was enough to ruin a career. 🙄
Is it a classic? Nah. Is it an interesting relic? Sure, I guess. Just don't go in expecting a thriller. It’s mostly just people talking about how scandalous they feel while standing very still.