Film Review: "Rumspringa - An Amish in Berlin" (2022).

From Germany and Netflix comes Rumspringa - An Amish in Berlin. This German comedy drama film directed by Mira Thiel, and written by Thiel, Nika Heinrich, and Oskar Minkler. A young Amish man travels to Berlin on a rite of passage to connect with his roots, explore other ways of life, fall in love — and face a big decision.

The film stars Timur Bartels, Matthias Bundschuh, João Kreth d'Orey, Gizem Emre, Jonas Holdenrieder, Nicole Johannhanwahr, Enno Kalisch, Tijan Marei, Adél Onodi, Alice Skok, Rachel Slotky, Rauand Taleb, Leon Ullrich, and Jonathan Wirtz. Showcases a fine performance from Holdenrieder but one that gets lost while attempting to transcend a higher purpose. Holdenrieder is a likeable actor but rarely a subtle one. Jacob is another cutesy emotional heart-tugger in the Forrest Gump mould, all galumphing slapstick. Holdenrieder's overdone slapstick antics and awful accent keep this featherweight farce from taking flight. Holdenrieder cashes in every last chip of his audience lovability and still doesn't save the movie. Annoying out of the gates, then cute, at times Hollywood romantic, with Emre acting as Meg Ryan. Product placement bogs.

Although it is way too idealistic, the film works because the characters’ idiosyncrasies are still relevant today. The script conveys that universal bond immigrants form between each other, given their social status in a foreign country. An impossibly romantic portrait of an immigration nightmare that becomes an irresistible fantasy thanks to the grace and compassion of Thiel's direction. The film may not be the top of the line for Thiel but the film still makes for compelling material when viewing. Thiel's visual translation of the script is exposed as a soulless set of scenes without personality that, frankly, could have been shot by any filmmaker with the same result. There are story threads that play out enjoyably, and other threads end up going nowhere. Enjoy the film from scene to scene, since there are definite pleasures along the way. The film loses its hushed sense of 'lost-in-a-new-world' hopelessness and becomes a silly, 'let's all put on a show!' feel-gooder that misses more often not. Something of a disappointment, despite solid work from Holdenrieder and Bartels -- it's as if Thiel assembled all the ingredients for a good film and then decided to experiment and threw away the recipe. It's an odd fable: Jacob is one of the comical visitor who shows us what the life is all about-in the movie's terms, compassion for others -- without ever forgetting his heritage. It's a shame that it gradually stops being an interesting character study and turns into a typically Hollywood drama. What will this studio think of next? A remake of The Red Balloon set in Tikrit? How about Sunday in the Park with George relocated to Guantnamo? The film isn't a belly laugh or a knee-slapper; rather it enthralls viewers with gentle humor and warmth and holds your attention with Jacob's journey. A sweet, little contemporary allegory that celebrates the immigrant spirit and the triumph of the little man over heartless traditionalism.

Simon says Rumspringa - An Amish in Berlin receives: