3 reviews
There is really nothing, that can beat this intelligent, funny and yet so cynical and sarcastic stories from the very unique lawyer robert liebling, played by Manfred Krug - His "once-in-a-lifetime" role. I'm very happy, that a part of that is on DVD available now, but for no obvious reason (must have something to do with the copyrights) it starts with the end of the series, the episodes between 1997 and 1998. I really hope, that soon enough the classic series, beginning from the middle eighties, written by the magnificent (and much to early passed away) jurek becker, music by the jazz legend klaus doldinger. I'm a swiss guy and I just can highly recommend this one for anybody, who's able to understand the lyrics and jokes in German.
I love this series! I'm German but I can't stand German series, but "Liebling Kreuzberg" is fantastic. It's about a lawyer in Kreuzberg (a part of Berlin). He is cheeky and forward, a typical human of Berlin. He isn't young but charming and he have got always a girlfriend. His name is Robert Liebling (Liebling = darling). Robert Liebling is a really good lawyer. The series is very ironic but very realistic, human and honest!!! Just brilliant!!! "Liebling Kreuzberg" was produced 1986 to 1998!!! it became canceled because its creator and writer died: Jurek Becker.
Manfred Krug in the role of his life! "Liebling Kreuzberg" was one of the best German series ever made. Robert Liebling, the main character is a cunning, if rather work-shy lawyer, who tries to throw many of his cases to his law firm partner Arnold in order to have more time to be lazy or to follow the pleasure with one of his girlfriends.
But through his large circle of acquaintances and also word of mouth, he keeps taking on very tricky cases. Rarely does it involve murder or manslaughter, but rather smaller, but all the more realistic offenses or disputes, in which he strikes the right tone with great skill and flair and also knows how to hold his own in court. Not infrequently, his and his colleague's clients are not completely innocent and not always sympathetic.
Actually, in each episode, despite the short running time of only 45 minutes, you always get at least 2 cases exactly told, sometimes even more. Because his colleague Arnold also has his difficult cases, which are described and solved just as meticulously as those of the head of the firm, Liebling.
In between, there are minor dramas in the family environment now and then, because as tough as he can be in court, he finds it hard to escape the charm of his annoying daughter and her constant need for money. Liebling's girlfriends also repeatedly take center stage in the narrative, although some are present for extended periods of time. Then, of course, there are his law firm employees Paula and Senta, who keep him and Arnold up to date with facts and appointments.
In the course of the individual episodes, many familiar faces and also voices (a lot of dubbing work for films and series is done in Berlin) appear. Some of them also have recurring roles.
You learn a lot with the series about the law in Germany (and in Berlin in particular) before the fall of the Wall.
But through his large circle of acquaintances and also word of mouth, he keeps taking on very tricky cases. Rarely does it involve murder or manslaughter, but rather smaller, but all the more realistic offenses or disputes, in which he strikes the right tone with great skill and flair and also knows how to hold his own in court. Not infrequently, his and his colleague's clients are not completely innocent and not always sympathetic.
Actually, in each episode, despite the short running time of only 45 minutes, you always get at least 2 cases exactly told, sometimes even more. Because his colleague Arnold also has his difficult cases, which are described and solved just as meticulously as those of the head of the firm, Liebling.
In between, there are minor dramas in the family environment now and then, because as tough as he can be in court, he finds it hard to escape the charm of his annoying daughter and her constant need for money. Liebling's girlfriends also repeatedly take center stage in the narrative, although some are present for extended periods of time. Then, of course, there are his law firm employees Paula and Senta, who keep him and Arnold up to date with facts and appointments.
In the course of the individual episodes, many familiar faces and also voices (a lot of dubbing work for films and series is done in Berlin) appear. Some of them also have recurring roles.
You learn a lot with the series about the law in Germany (and in Berlin in particular) before the fall of the Wall.