Men Reviews

Taking an age-old situation and turning it on its head, this wonderful farce is brimming with unique twists, wit, and style. Julius Armbrust (Heiner Lauterbach) is an advertising executive about to celebrate his 12th year of wedded bliss with wife Paula (Ulrike Kriener). His world suddenly falls apart, however, when he discovers she has been cheating on him with Stefan Lachner (Uwe Ochsenknecht), a young, long-haired bohemian who meanders about town on his bicycle. Julius decides on revenge, not through blackmail or murder but in a manner he knows will bring Paula back to him. After ingratiating himself with Stefan on the sly, Julius begins work on his scheme, transforming Paula's artist-lover into a carbon copy of himself. MEN is a sharp satire, playing off gender roles and male bonding with some real insight. Made by female director Doris Dorrie, the film wisely carries no obtrusive social message that might undermine the wonderful humor. Dorrie does rely rather heavily on slapstick (there is a silly bit involving a gorilla suit), but fortunately her inventive storytelling overcomes the film's lesser elements. Shot in 25 days on a budget of only $360,000, MEN grossed in excess of $15 million in international box-office receipts.