Free Fall

Stephan Lacant's somewhat familiar drama tells the story of a German policeman who—despite having a pregnant girlfriend—falls in love with a gay male colleague, engaging in a clandestine relationship that threatens to destroy both men's careers and personal lives. Hanno Kofflerstars as Marc, who meets Kay (Max Reimelt) during a departmental exercise run. Before long the men are jogging together, and a sudden kiss leads to something more serious. Marc's girlfriend eventually comes to suspect that he is having an affair (with another woman), but when his parents and colleagues discover what's happening, their attitude towards him and Kay changes radically, leading to shunning, reckless behavior, and even physical violence. Eventually, the birth of his child will force Marc to make a decision about how he'll live his life. While there are obvious similarities here to the superior Brokeback Mountain, this honest and often powerful drama is no mere copy and it benefits from solid performances. Recommended. (F. Swietek)