A delightfully offbeat German comedy about an accordion player who becomes obsessed with Louisiana zydeco music, Schultze Gets the Blues' hero is a plump, bear-like fellow, forcibly retired from the salt mines, who's also his village's leading musician (following in his father's footsteps by playing traditional polkas at town celebrations). After hearing zydeco on his radio one night, Schultze adopts the style himself, much to the dismay of his neighbors, and when an opportunity arises for him to attend a folk music festival in Texas, he veers off instead for the Louisiana bayous, puttering about in an absurd little boat and making friends wherever he goes. Writer-director Michael Schorr isn't quite able to sustain the quirky tale for the full running-time--when the story moves to the U.S., his touch becomes a tad less assured--but he recovers nicely in a solid finale that balances humor and poignancy. A gently rib-tickling, weirdly warmhearted gem, this is recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary in German w/English subtitles with Schorr and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a winning film.] (F. Swietek)
Schultze Gets the Blues
Paramount, 107 min., in German w/English subtitles, PG, DVD: $32.99, Aug. 30< Volume 20, Issue 4
Schultze Gets the Blues
Star Ratings
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