Watch Enfant Terrible

Enfant Terrible is a biopic drama film that tells the story of the celebrated German filmmaker and enfant terrible, Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Directed by Oskar Roehler, the film stars Oliver Masucci as Fassbinder, Hary Prinz as Kurt Raab, and Katja Riemann as Lilo Pempeit. The movie follows a young Fassbinder as he comes of age in post-World War II Germany and goes on to become one of the most important and provocative artistic figures of his era.

The film opens with a glimpse into Fassbinder's traumatic childhood, where we see the young Rainer coping with the absence of his father and the neglect of his mother. As a young man, he develops an interest in theater and film, and begins to make his own films with a group of friends. Despite early setbacks, he is determined to make it as a filmmaker and pushes himself and his collaborators to their limits.

Enfant Terrible provides insights into the life and work of Fassbinder, who was a controversial and polarizing figure in his time. The movie portrays the filmmaker's life through his artistic choices, tracing the relationships and events that shaped his work. We see how Fassbinder was able to give voice to a generation of Germans who felt disillusioned and frustrated with the post-war world.

The film's intense focus on Fassbinder, however, does not neglect the people who supported and worked with him. Kurt Raab, played by Hary Prinz, is one of Fassbinder's closest collaborators and friends. Raab and Fassbinder are presented as two sides of the same coin - both artists who are consumed by their work and determined to make art that is both controversial and honest. Lilo Pempeit, portrayed by Katja Riemann, plays a crucial role in Fassbinder's life as both a romantic partner and collaborator.

The movie portrays Fassbinder as a deeply troubled and complex individual who channeled his pain and suffering into his art. Themes of sex, violence, and power are recurrent throughout Fassbinder's work, and the film shows how these themes were rooted in his own psyche. The film's lighting, colors, and sound design all work together to create a psychological portrait of the man behind the art.

Oliver Masucci delivers an outstanding performance as Fassbinder. He embodies the filmmaker's charisma, volatility, and obsession with his craft. Masucci is able to convey the complexity of Fassbinder's character, showing both his brilliance as a filmmaker and his personal flaws as a human being. The ensemble cast all give strong performances, especially Hary Prinz as Kurt Raab and Katja Riemann as Lilo Pempeit.

Enfant Terrible is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking film that provides insight into one of the most important filmmakers of the 20th century. The movie does not shy away from the controversy that surrounded Fassbinder's life and work, but it does not make any judgments about his choices or his character either. Instead, the film invites the audience to engage with Fassbinder's art on its own terms and to consider how his work spoke to its historical moment.

The production value of the film is commendable. The sets, costumes, and visual effects all work together to create a vivid portrait of 1960s and 1970s Germany. The film's cinematography is particularly striking, with its use of color and framing to create a sense of tension and unease.

In conclusion, Enfant Terrible is a must-watch biopic drama film that offers a glimpse into the life and work of one of the most important filmmakers of the 20th century. With its stellar cast, strong screenplay, and incredible production value, the movie is a tribute to the power of art and the people who make it.

Enfant Terrible is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 49.