The Legend of Rita (Volker Schlöndorff, 1999) [V]
Though this is based on the life of a real East German terrorist, Schlöndorff doesn’t spend much time with our heroine in violent outlaw mode–the film puts more emphasis on her awkward assimilation into the proletariat she so vocally champions. Bibiana Biglau, in a wonderful performance, plays Rita as dogmatic and proud but startled by the way humanity breaks through cracks in ideology. It’s likely as factually inaccurate as A Beautiful Mind, but the movie’s humble, unassuming tone goes a long way. This is clearly the work of a veteran director: brisk, confident, to the point. Problem is, it’s a little too breezy; lack of structure and emotional modulation eventually take their toll. Just needed a little more oomph. B-
