The Marriage of Maria Braun

In German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder's short career, a handful of films stand out. This allegorical tale of Germany's "Economic Miracle" period of the 50s during which the country flourished, at the cost of human feeling, is one of them. On the surface, the story follows the misfortunes and fortunes of the title character (Hanna Schygulla), whose wedding takes place during an air raid, in the waning stages of WWII. When her husband is reported dead, Braun takes up with a black American soldier--until her husband unexpectedly shows up one day. In the ensuing fight, Maria Braun brains the G.I. with a bottle and her devoted husband goes to jail for her crime of murder. At which point, Maria begins a lucrative career with wealthy importer Oswald (Ivan Desny) and, although always remaining emotionally detached, becomes his lover, as well as his psychological master. Quietly amassing a fortune, Maria is unaware that her employer and her husband have made a deal for the husband to disappear until the aging Oswald's death. When the reunion finally comes, Maria, dressed in black negligee, and teetering on the brink of pent-up passion makes a foolish and explosive mistake. As a straightforward drama, Fassbinder's film works quite well--as an allegory about post-WWII money-grubbing it's even better. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)