Love in Thoughts (2005) NR - 3½ Stars

In German with subtitles, this movie gives takes you on an emotional whirlwind of the late 1920's. Set in a picturesque landscape, the cinematography adds to the sensuality innocence of the time period. Anna Maria Muehe is wonderfully seductive as she playfully lures men into her bed with those beautiful bedroom eyes. I've seen her in anything else, but her beauty made her perfectly cast for this role. The acting is top notch on every ones part. Based on the true story of a young man who was involved in a "Suicide Club" plot that witnessed one of his best friends shoot himself. Paul Krontz was and inspiring author or who wrote poetry and attended this fatal party aka "Steglitz Student Tragedy" where love is the only reason to die for. The friends have decided that when they no longer feel love, the will end their lives and the lives of those who have robbed them of it.

Paul Krotz would later publish his 1st novel in 1931, Die Mietskaserne, under the pen name of Ernst Erich Noth telling what really happened that weekend. In 1933, the book was publicly burned by the Nazi's and 2 months after Krontz went into exile. Reporting anything about his trial, is still considered a scandal today.

Although at moments, the movie is rather slow and sometimes confusing as to who is with whom, and how they all relate to each other, it sexually and emotionally draws you into it's web of passion.

In 1927, Gunther (August Diehl), his sister Hilde (Anna Maria Muehe) and one of his best friends Paul (Daniel Bruhl) went on a long weekend retreat to the summer house of Gunther and Hilde's parents. Paul had a crush on Hilde and hoped to be alone with her for the weekend. Instead Hilde is secretly seeing Hans, who her brother, Gunther, is still in love with. And then there's Hilde's girlfriend who is secretly in love with Paul and shows him. Talk about a love triangle when a group of friends show up to the retreat for a four day orgy, drug and drinking fest, that leaves everyones feelings betrayed.

X Verleih
Director: Achim von Borries
Writers: Hendrik Handloegten, Achim von Borries
Producers: Stefan Arndt Producer, Christophe Mazodier, Manuela Stehr

I viewed 11/08