Let's not demand that Frau Von Trotta maintain the earnestness of her best known output. I enjoy a bit of skin and outrageousness as much as anyone. For a while there I thought this was going to be a good night at the movies. Katja Reimann flings herself into her multiple characters with considerable energy and occasionally minimal clothing (even if that looks like a butt double.) It's fun to watch that. The 'scope production values are handsome too.

Unfortunately this one is not only preposterous but it's dramatically feeble. The leading man is totally overshadowed by Reimann - not hard - and we fail to work up interest in his soppy character. Even more surprising is the failure to register of the celebrity support cast. Armin Mueller-Stahl should be expected to act the competition off the screen but handles his crippled crazy without flamboyance. What is Barbara Auer doing propping up this twaddle. At least Karin Dor gets some attention.

This one is a let down after the recent batch of imposing German films.