Winner of multiple Golden Lolas (essentially the German Oscar) and numerous other awards worldwide, writer-director Chris Kraus' Four Minutes underscores the extraordinary power of music. Eighty-year-old Traude Krüger (Monica Bleibtreu), who has been teaching piano in a women's prison since the Nazi era, harbors terrible secrets and haunting memories that place an emotional mountain of weight on her. Convicted murderer Jenny von Loeben (Hannah Herzsprung) is a violent inmate with no hope. The two women come together because of the piano—Jenny is a former prodigy who gave up music, but Traude is convinced she could win tournaments with new practice—yet there is nothing pleasant, uplifting, or redemptive in their strained relationship, which ultimately leads to Jenny's final shocking piano performance, notable for both its genius and eccentricity. Kudos to Bleibtreu and Herzsprung, who bring such a vicious monstrosity to their characters that it's easy to forget they're acting. Recommended. (M. Johanson)
Four Minutes
Wolfe, 112 min., in German w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.95, Oct. 7 Volume 23, Issue 5
Four Minutes
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