Watch Beloved Sisters

Beloved Sisters is a 2014 German film directed by Dominik Graf, which was selected as the German entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. This film is based on the true story of the famous German poet Friedrich Schiller and his relationships with two sisters, Charlotte and Caroline von Lengefeld, during the late 18th century.

The film is set in a time when Germany was divided into numerous small kingdoms, each with its own rules and regulations. Against this backdrop, the film explores both the personal and political struggles of its main characters. The story begins with Charlotte and Caroline, both talented and educated, living in rural Thuringia. Charismatic Friedrich Schiller, also living nearby, enters their lives and begins a romantic relationship with Charlotte. After a while, Caroline becomes intentionally involved in the affair, leading to a complex web of emotions and relationships between the three.

The performances by the three leads, Hannah Herzsprung, Florian Stetter, and Henriette Confurius, are powerful and convincing. Their chemistry on screen is incredible, with each character created to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the others. Hannah Herzsprung is particularly good as Charlotte, providing a nuanced portrayal of a woman struggling with love, obligations, and expectations. Henriette Confurius, as the younger and initially innocent sister, is equally fascinating to watch as she transforms her character during the course of the film.

The film is visually stunning, with impressive production design and photography. The cinematography by Michael Wiesweg captures the beauty and elegance of the architecture and costumes of the time period, and the costume designers have done an excellent job in showcasing the apparels of the wealthy of that era. The baroque palaces, the landscapes with lushous greenery, and the rural settlements all have been beautifully represented in the film.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its ability to touch upon many themes such as gender, class, status, and power from the late 18th century society through Friedrich Schiller and the two sisters' complicated lives. This movie explores the struggle for individuality and the quest for independence, the complexities of love and relationships, and how society at large can restrict or limit individuals. The story explores the human psyche in a way that is both thought-provoking and engaging.

Sadly, at two hours plus, the movie seems to drag on just a bit too long. There are a few scenes that could easily have been cut without affecting the overall story or pacing of the film. The score by Karim Sebastian Elias is a bit overly dramatic in places, which underscores the moments of imbalance in the movie.

At its core, Beloved Sisters is a fascinating historical drama with a strong romantic undercurrent. The director Dominik Graf has created a film with impeccable performances, stunning visuals, and a complex story that is both intricate and captivating. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the late 18th century setting, or those who enjoy a good historical love triangle. In all, Beloved Sisters could be considered one of the finest romantic period dramas of recent years, mixing historical accuracy and mature storytelling to great effect.

Beloved Sisters is a 2015 romance movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 66.