The Good German

Name: The Good German
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: December 15, 2006
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Cate Blanchett, George Clooney

2006

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

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The Good German

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 15, 2006 | R

Starring: Cate Blanchett, George Clooney

Summary: Based on the novel by Joseph Kanon, The Good German takes place in the ruins of post-World War II Berlin, where U.S. Army was correspondent Jake Geismar (Clooney) becomes embroiled with Lena Brandt (Blanchett), a former lover whose missing husband is the object of a manhunt by both the American and Russian armies. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Peter Travers

This is Soderbergh's show, and a haunting and hypnotic show it is. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

The leisure-time viewer will say, ''Hey, this is sort of like "Casablanca," so why play it again?'' Read full review

Rick Groen

Here's what's good about The Good German: The look is fantastic; technically, the movie is a retro marvel. Here's what's bad: The script sucks; it keeps promising to be clever, engaging, subtle and completely fails to deliver. Read full review

David Ansen

Attempting a frame-by-frame duplication of Warner Bros. '40s filmmaking--even the extroverted acting style apes the period--Soderbergh has produced a movie so self-conscious that it's drained of all life. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

For actor and director, the project seems like trying on a new coat, and it doesn't fit either of them. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Steven Soderbergh's new film is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery inside a perversity. The puzzle is Mr. Soderbergh's approach to what might have been an intriguing experiment, rather than the off-putting one it turned out to be.

Mick LaSalle

Blanchett's performance is Soderbergh's biggest mistake. He either encourages or permits her to play Lena as a Greta Garbo caricature, which is mildly amusing if you're interested in Garbo, but if you're interested in Lena and The Good German, you're out of luck. Read full review

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User Reviews

R.L.

Jan 14, 2009

The Good German is one of the best returns to the 1940s style of film-noir. It has the right mix of action, adventure, mystery, Intrigue & romance. The Good German hypnotizes you with it's blend of murder & mystery, action & Intrigue, Romance & lies. You'll never stop guessing The Good German is one of the best returns to the 1940s style of film-noir. It has the right mix of action, adventure, mystery, Intrigue & romance. The Good German hypnotizes you with it's blend of murder & mystery, action & Intrigue, Romance & lies. You'll never stop guessing who's behind what, and most importantly who you can trust.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

May 25, 2007

If you are fan of old B&W movies...it is a really wonderful film. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think that the critics failed to see what an interesting work it was.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DaveA.

Dec 18, 2006

Taking a break from his either commercially successful or critically acclaimed filmmaking, soderbergh does something only a filmmaker as successful, versatile, and talented is allowed to do: make something totally self-indulgent. It's pretty clear that everybody on this film had a Taking a break from his either commercially successful or critically acclaimed filmmaking, soderbergh does something only a filmmaker as successful, versatile, and talented is allowed to do: make something totally self-indulgent. It's pretty clear that everybody on this film had a great time making it. And as soon as you buy into the style, there's no reason you can't have a great time watching it. And by the way, Cate blanchett is a goddess.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

DanC.

Jun 9, 2007

This film wants desperately to be "The Third Man" but it just isn't. It never manages to create the right mood. It feels staged and non-authentic throughout. The actors are not up to the material or setting. Tobey Maguire and George Clooney are both surprisingly weak, and I say that as This film wants desperately to be "The Third Man" but it just isn't. It never manages to create the right mood. It feels staged and non-authentic throughout. The actors are not up to the material or setting. Tobey Maguire and George Clooney are both surprisingly weak, and I say that as a big fan of Maguire. A big disappointment.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

GeorgeB.

Dec 15, 2006

Lots of promise in this one: great cast, terrific director. But no rewards for this viewer - the script is terrible, tediously dragging everything along with it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

MarkM

Dec 31, 2007

A plot that wants to be intriguing is terribly boring, bordering on trite. Maguire is absolutely miscast and his horrible performance nearly derails the nmovie before it gets started. Clooney basically stands there looking, but not acting, like an iconic period figure, confused. Only the A plot that wants to be intriguing is terribly boring, bordering on trite. Maguire is absolutely miscast and his horrible performance nearly derails the nmovie before it gets started. Clooney basically stands there looking, but not acting, like an iconic period figure, confused. Only the great Cate is up to her cypher of a role. Of interest only to those who find vintage film stock and camera lenses interesting.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

AndersJ.

Mar 29, 2007

One of the most unbearably pretentious movies I have ever seen. Go rent the Third Man but don't see this movie, It's a complete hack job. Tobey Maguire is completely miscast and its painful to watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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