Effi Briest (3 Stars)

It will probably surprise people unaquainted with German films that the story of Effi Briest has been filmed five times, in 1939, 1955, 1970, 1974 and 2009. Talk about remake madness! The film I watched today was the 1974 version, directed by the controversial German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The full title of this film is "Fontane Effi Briest oder Viele, die eine Ahnung haben von ihren Möglichkeiten und ihren Bedürfnissen und dennoch das herrschende System in ihrem Kopf akzeptieren durch ihre Taten und es somit festigen und durchaus bestätigen". This is a difficult title to understand, even for Germans, and it seems like Fassbinder, the enfant terrible of post-war German cinema, was attempting to confuse his viewers. It translates roughly as "Fontane's Effi Briest, or Many who have a feeling for their own capabilities and needs nevertheless accept the system around them in their heads and their deeds, thus strengthening and confirming the system". Not quite logical, but as I said, Fassbinder was playing mind games with his viewers.

The story tells of a 17-year-old girl who marries a baron 20 years older than herself. While he is away at war she has an affair with one of her husband's friends. The consequences of the affair aren't seen until six years later.

Fassbinder detaches the performances from all emotions. Instead of the passion we would expect, Effi seems to be floating through all the happenings without feelings, like she's a ghost looking back upon her life. The baron seeks revenge without feelings, not because he feels hurt but because it's the right thing to do. Effi's parents show no affection towards her, only doing their duty as parents. This creates a coldness throughout the film, alienating the viewers, making it impossible to feel sympathy for any of the characters. Obviously Fassbinder is more interested in telling a story of morals to educate rather than to entertain the viewers.