Movie: Toni Erdmann

Toni Erdmann:  a German comedy.  This may be the first time I’ve ever written the words “German” and “comedy” in consecutive order.  This film, written and directed by Maren Ade, has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language film category.  When I read that Jack Nicholson had signed a contract to do an American version of the film, my curiosity was peaked.  The role of Toni Erdmann would be an ideal exit character for Nicholson.  Toni Erdmann opens with a FedEx delivery of a package to Winfried Conradi (Peter Simonischek).  The person answering the door tells the FedEx person that the package is for his brother who was recently released from prison for bomb making.  The person walks away from the door shouting for Winfried then reappears in a different costume with more bomb jokes.  We learn that Winfried is a divorced music teacher with a propensity for pranks.  A bit later, we meet Winfried’s adult daughter, Ines (Sandra Huller), a businesswoman consumed by her career.  There is a palpable tension between Ines and her father.  Ines is a business consultant and is currently on assignment in Bucharest.  Winfried unexpectedly appears at Ines’ workplace; Ines unexpectedly invites Winfried to join her for a reception at the American Embassy.  She tells her father that if she is speaking with a gentleman named Henneberg, he is not to intervene.   Henneberg is the CEO of the company with whom Ines’ wants to secure a consulting contract.  For Winfried, of course, Ines’ warning is like honey to a bear and Winfried promptly strolls into the conversation remarking that he has hired a replacement daughter because Ines is too busy to spend any time with him.   Following is a scene where Winfried is leaving his daughter’s apartment to return home to Germany.  We then learn a bit more about Ines and her work and, a few days later, we see Ines with two female friends at a bar.  This is when Toni Erdmann appears and presents himself to Ines and her friends.   A bizarre conversation among the four ensues followed by a series of events and interactions among Ines, Toni and various third parties.  One could never have predicted some of the scenes that occur during this  162 minute movie.  It becomes clear that Winfried has adopted the Toni Erdmann character to help his daughter learn to enjoy life.  Toni is not merely a prankster, and amidst the comedic routines, important issues concerning familial relationships are addressed.  Some of the scenes go on a bit too long and the film could have been more tightly edited.  The film works due, in large part, to the strength of Simonischek’s performance.  You can clearly see Jack Nicholson as Toni, which is not to diminish Simonischek’s performance.  This is the film’s second week in Honolulu and, unless it wins the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film, I suspect it will be gone for good after this week.  I am looking forward to Maren Ade’s next movie.  Her Toni Erdmann character is truly unique and makes you wonder what’s up next from this very talented writer/director.