Closeted Sergeant Major Charles Eismayer prides himself on his self-control, but that’s about to change after meeting new, openly gay recruit Mario Falak. Based on a true story, writer and director David Wagner’s Eismayer celebrates growth, self-acceptance, and love, even later in life. A romance with few contemporaries, Eismayer’s story of two military men finding love and accepting their true selves belongs on all library shelves that feature LGBTQ+, international, romance, and drama titles.
Twenty-four years old (older than the other recruits), Yugoslavian, and handsome, Mario Falak (Luka Dimic) sticks out in the latest batch of Austrian Armed Forces recruits. He makes an enemy of Sergeant Major Eismayer (Gerhard Liebmann) on the first day of basic training by simply asking a question. Later, during field exercises, Eismayer shows a bit of sympathy and encourages Falak to summon his courage to zipline across a roaring river. This moment of compassion is our first glimpse of a crack in Eismayer’s tough exterior. But it will take more than one shared moment and the pair’s undeniably intense chemistry for Eismayer to come to terms with himself.
In meetings behind closed doors, Eismayer’s boss warns the authoritative sergeant, “Hard-asses like you are why no one wants to join the army.” Outside of work, Eismayer has a wife and young son but claims he can’t spend much time at home because of his schedule. But that’s not the truth. Sexually repressed, the closeted Eismayer lives a double life and goes cruising for men after dark.
The uneven power dynamic and age gap between Falak and Eismayer initially creates an ethical grey area, keeping us from fully embracing the typical “will they, won’t they” of a romantic narrative... Until – without spoiling anything - the dynamic shifts dramatically in the third act. Will Eismayer learn to embrace himself – and happiness - before it’s too late?
Cinematographer Serafin Spitzer provides us with a wealth of close-ups and reaction shots, allowing the actors to flex their skills and invite the audience into their rich emotional lives, an important aspect of any romantic drama. Gerhard Liebmann especially shines as he portrays the tough Eismayer without ever demonizing him, allowing the audience to care about this often difficult, unhappy man.
A truly unique military picture – not the typical “war is hell” fare – Eismayer focuses on the humanity of the recruits and their trainer, as well as the long-lasting effects of toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia. Eismayer is an even more unique romance, in which the trope of “hate-to-love” has extra weight in a military setting where love between men is traditionally discouraged. But the antagonist of this film isn’t the military – it’s Eismayer’s own deeply engrained insecurities around his sexuality. This LGBTQ+ romance brings love to a setting often reserved for death and destruction. Eismayer’s short and lovely story of personal growth and acceptance belongs in any libraries’ film collection, but especially those that specialize in LGBTQ+ narratives and romance.
What type of library programming could use Eismayer?
Eismayer could easily and obviously fit into Pride Month programming, but the film could also make for an original and bold Valentine’s Day or Veteran’s Day screening.
What kind of film series would Eismayer fit in?
Eismayer would make for an intriguing double feature with Whiplash, as they both feature authoritative teachers with notorious reputations. But Eismayer plays more like if JK Simmons’ character in Whiplash fell in love with Miles Teller and, like the Grinch that stole Christmas, his heart grew three sizes. (There’s even a Whiplash-esque “not my tempo” scene in Eismayer!)
What public library shelves would Eismayer be on?
Eismayer belongs on public library shelves that feature drama, romance, LGBTQ+, and international titles.