The Stationmaster's Wife

Stars: Kurt Raab (Boarding School), Elisabeth Trissenaar (Angry Harvest). Originally made-for-German-television, this intermittently interesting soap opera, set in Bavaria during the waning days of the Weimar Republic, stars Kurt Raab as Haverl Bolweiser, a mousy hen-pecked husband who slavishly adores his wife Hanni (Elisabeth Trissenaar). Shorn by some 90 minutes for theatrical release, The Stationmaster's Wife still seems to run on forever, limited by its very small palette. Much of the action takes place in the Bolweiser's apartment where Hanni manipulates Haverl to a point beyond credibility, as she embarks on relatively safe liaisons with first the butcher, and then the hairdresser, while just saying no to conjugal relations. It is often difficult to tell whether Haverl is truly a dolt of impressive proportions or a tragic romantic who will accept a shoestring love over no love at all. He seems to vacillate unbelievably between the two positions, robbing the film of its intended aspiration to tragedy. Lacking the requisite sympathy for Haverl, we do not feel moved by his plight, we simply feel impatient. As he did in the earlier Effi Briest (1974), director Fassbinder once again indulges himself in a multitude of reflections shots in glass or mirrors, but here--especially in the limited confines of the Bolweiser apartment--they merely irritate. Fassbinder would partially regain his cinematic stride the following year with Despair (1978). Audience: Fassbinder fans would be interested; others could safely pass. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Oct. 4, 2005—New Yorker, in German w/English subtitles, 111 min., not rated, $29.95—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1977's The Stationmaster's Wife sports a fair transfer and no DVD extras beyond trailers. Bottom line: a disappointing DVD release of a lesser Fassbinder film.]