3 (2010)

I really do not know how to rate this film... On the one hand, it is obvious that the director is a rather savvy filmmaker, while on the other the movie reels off uncontrolled after the first half of the picture, to the point of becoming (at least in my mind) totally ridiculous. I suppose it is probably 'too modern' for me, I don't know.

Don't get me wrong, I am far from being a puritan of any sort, much less homophobic, but I think this was not only completely over the top (especially the ending), but also completely unrealistic, not to say impossible. The 'teaching' of the movie is in my opinion also completely wrong. One cannot, and should not always do as one pleases, otherwise our world as we know it would probably implode. As I said before, too modern...

Fmovies: Unusual and, at the same time, uplifting story. Great acting and a well-directed movie. I am not sure if everyone who watched it will be touched in the same way I was, but -if people can overcome their stereotypes and simply enjoy the film- it will leave them with positive feelings and make them reflect on it long after the ending credits have rolled up. The story is not about your typical next door married couple that enters their middle-age era with all its fears, frustrations, joys, sorrows and life-changing truths. It is that same story but with an unexpected twist and a touching end. I am a happy gay man in a stable civil partnership. After a long period of a loving, monogamous and joyful 'marriage' we stepped into the same twilight zone of middle age, which evoked many questions, doubts and ridiculous thoughts. At the same time, and by some strange twist of fate, we met our Adam in real life and both developed feelings for him. Ever since we live in our own ménage à trios, which gives us many happy moments, pleasures and helps us to re-discovered ourselves.

One reviewer described it as painfully slow and full of empty self importance. I would say that Tom Tykwer cleverly combined some scenes without dialogue -but with much deeper meaning- with other elements that are very dynamic, colorful, erotically-charged or simply entertaining. The soundtrack gives it a perfect final touch. Brilliant photography.

If people think that they will miraculously skip their middle age in life, they should avoid this movie. Since that is biologically impossible -- watch the movie and you may learn something about the most fundamental issues that life brings half way down the road. Highly recommended!

Tom Tykwer is the alleged writer and director of the movie "Run Lola Run." Lola was very contemporary, very fast, very cleverly constructed, shock full of witty ideas. Other movies from his filmography have a very distinct Seventies art house film feel to them - Deadly Maria, Winter Sleepers, Heaven and 3. They are painfully slow, full of empty self importance, cover subjects middle aged teachers tend to consider important in life. Except for the name Tom Tykwer they don't have too much in common with "Lola". Don't let the name fool you.

Sophie Rois (Hanna) is certainly a strange choice for the leading role in a "Folie a Trois". She doesn't look too nice, is much older than her two male love interests, has a terrible voice and - as Hanna - a personality that would probably drive most men away from her. Hanna is in a long time relationship with Simon (Sebastian Schipper) that obviously went stale quite some time ago. By pure chance she's meets the handsome Adam (Devid Striesow) and has sex with him the first time the same day Simon is told he's got testicular cancer and subjected to surgery on the spot. Losing a testicle must have turned him into half a man, because shortly afterwards he has a chance encounter with the handsome Adam that turns into his first homosexual experience. Good for him that while homosexuality is genetic and has nothing to do with free will, heterosexuality isn't, right?

Will the two pairs end up as "Three"? That's actually the big question, the whole story of this movie. Tykwer uses a lot of decoration to make it look more important. Hanna is the presenter of a TV Art Show, Simon works in the art business, Adam in the stem-cell research. Simons mother gets cancer and ends up as a yummy piece of art. Lots of opportunities to touch important issues and show interesting scenes. But even though Tykwer used a budget that in the Seventies would have been enough to make quite a few independent films he manages to present it all in an extremely dull way. You actually feel sorry for all this people with their very fashionable jobs and their shallow existences. Compared to this, the "Menage a Trois" really shines. "3" is part of the pseudo-intellectual art world it so knowingly depicts.

When Simon wears his woolly hat and thick glasses he resembles quite a lot the everyday appearance of Dani Lewy, co-owner and co-founder of Tykwer's production company, with his angular shaped face Adam looks quite a bit like timid Tykwer himself. Just saying. Just looking for a reason.

I don't know if I missed any kind of explanation for the very strange effects the castration in this movie has. I could easily dismiss it as an embarrassing goof or an inane plot device. But when the end is near even some plants show a surprisingly combative spirit and don't just wither away. The basis topic of "Three" is the midlife crisis, the period in life when people suddenly want much more of things they once had or something completely new. Someone in this troublesome age might find this movie quite interesting, and the ending inspiring, uplifting, depressing or allegorically profound.

3 fmovies. .....strangely philosophical and sometimes wondrous take on the Lives & Loves of men and women in today's world. BUT, hold on a sec...hasn't the behavior being shown to us likely EVER been so....even in humankind's earliest days, in the dark protectiveness of caves? ....Well, whether that is the case or not--right now--today, a most perceptive Director of Film (Tom Tykwer) is giving us a stripped bare view into the lives of 2 Men and 1 Woman....the "3" making up this proverbial TRIANGLE. So, Dear Viewer, you need only sit back...relax...then watch and see: ....Their discovery, first, of love with one another---then, finally, their reaching a loving-union of the "3".

I cannot tell you that the Male-Female Hook-up (can we call it "illicit") being shown us is any differently played out than in 100s of movie stories which have come before. BUT...on the other hand, and strikingly so...it is in the Male / Male "Connection" where you will find the Difference in this film. For in a mainstream production such as this, rarely will you ever see shown Physically Realistic (and Tender) lovemaking between 2 men....presented in such a forthright manner. Devid Striesow ("Adam") and Sebastian Schipper ("Simon") absolutely "ZING" in their scenes together. The word, Hot, does not describe it; though if written as HOT, perhaps it begins to do so. (WORD OF ADVICE: Director Tykwer's use of "split screen" techniques throughout, sometimes showing 4 to 6 activities occurring in one scene/shot, makes some of the "HOT actions" a bit difficult to follow and fully enjoy. Better you watch on video....rather than in the theater.)

As to this movie's performers and their abilities, these "3" actors are highly competent and experienced (extensive film histories)....though perhaps not at the level of paparazzi-pursued, top tier German celebs. YET, what they truly give to us is BELIEVABILITY....bringing viewers to the point of SUDDENLY realizing their characters' origin: ....Perhaps from Earth's First Garden---but here, in our world today, we are being given a "Hanna"....a "Simon"....and, most especially, "The Enticer". So, this Enticer; what can be said about him? Well, maybe just this, Reader Mine: ....When your self-image is at its lowest...and your need to be desired is at its highest.....just stop and look around you. HE's out there, close by....waiting, waiting to enfold you in Tenderness and Excitement. Waiting to make the rest of your life its Happiest.

I'll say Goodbye to you now...upon leaving this Garden of "3". And concede that this story may contain instances of over-dramatized familial and midlife crises---not to mention startling images of a male medical procedure. Nevertheless, this is a work which I will be re-watching on a somewhat regular basis---concentrating on the Male / Male action, of course. (Uh..oh).

PS: For those interested, see the excellent Devid Striesow in the very good and "gay-tinged" 2004 film production: "BEFORE THE FALL". That is, IF you can find it available as a rental; used DVD copies are going for a high price. Oh, and for something very "different"...but very well done (in a "straight" love story mode), try Tykwer's 2002 "HEAVEN" (Cate Blanchett). You, likely, will not be sorry.

****

Writer/director Tom Twyker (Run Lola Run, Perfume, Heaven, The International. Paris, je t'aime) is proving to be one of the most fearless and creative talents in film today. He knows how to create strange stories that take us by surprise, present them with excellent actors, selects and composes musical scores that are as perfect as any being created, introduces just enough philosophy and scientific investigation into timely topics to challenge our brains, and tops it off with inventive photography - superimposing split screens that enhance not only the progress of the story but also allow the presentation of brief glimpses of 'dangerous' ideas that stirs the cauldron to boiling.

3 is a fascinating tale. Simon (Sebastian Schipper) is an artistic architect who works with sculptors to bring their art into being. He is in a longterm relationship with Hanna (Sophie Rois) who is a television journalist cum scientist who is widely popular in their hometown of Berlin. Simon and Hanna are in their forties and deeply in love. Simon is informed that his mother has advanced pancreatic carcinoma and when his mother attempts suicide with an overdose and fails, she is brain dead, supported on machines. Simon stays at her bedside while Hanna continues her line of investigation about new stem cell theories, attending lectures by the handsome Adam (Devid Striesow) - a married man with children who leads a separate life of clandestine but short-lived gay affairs. Simon's mother dies and Simon is diagnosed with testicular carcinoma, undergoes an orchiectomy and begins chemotherapy, losing his hair in the process. All of this he shares with Hanna: the two decide they probably should marry and Hanna wants children while Simon thinks world timing is poor for starting a family (he is also aware of the fact that his operation and chemotherapy may represent the end of his sexuality and fertility).

Though devoted to Simon, Hanna is attracted to Adam and finds ways to be near him. Soon they are in a physical love affair. Simon recovers his disease by swimming in a beautiful Berlin gym where he quite incidentally meets Adam, shares his operation with the stranger in the locker room, and Adam proceeds to demonstrate that Simon is indeed not impotent! Simon has new feelings aroused, and he and Adam begin a love affair. Hanna and Simon get married but still each of them has feelings for Adam. When Hanna discovers she is pregnant the story spins to its conclusion and the triptych of the title is established.

This film is subtle but frank, explores sexuality in an open and honest way exploring themes relevant to our time: the biological and the ethical side of human life, the determinist way of viewing our sexuality and gender, the ways in which we define our selves in a time with shifting mores, the chance of love in a society with few if any boundaries. Love affairs as demonstrated between Hanna and Simon, Hanna and Adam, and Simon and Adam are treated equally and sensitively.

The three primary actors are excellent as is the entire cast. The cinematography and film manipulation by Frank Griebe (with Twyker) and the musical score Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek, Gabriel Isaac Mounsey, and Tom Tykwer (with a little help form Debussy and others!) is splendid. This is a first class film and deserves the attention of a very wide audience. It is likely to be one of those films that grows in stature with the passage of time.

Grady Harp

This one is a typical movie from Tom Tykwer, but one of his best. Is it constructed? Of course, it is fiction, paired with really good dialogue and performances. I don't know if it will be shown in English, but if you understand the language you should watch it in German. The movie is well crafted like one piece, everything fits perfectly together: the cinematography / the cutting, the music, the plot, the pace and the meaning. It has some scenes with black humour in it, but not too many. And although it deals with fundamental questions of life / death, relationships and sexual orientation, I left the cinema in an uplifted mood. Recommended for people who like Tom-Tykwer- or menage-à-trois-movies (e.g. "Threesome", "Jules and Jim").