The White Ribbon (Das weisse Band)

Release Year: 2009

Director: Michael Haneke

Review: There is something unnerving about mischievous, evil, children, and yet in Michael Haneke's quiet, methodic, drama they are almost pitied.  In this dour German examination of morality, Hankeke takes a hands off approach to the judgement of the events and doesn't bias the viewer one way or another on how to view the circumstances.  Taking place in a small town directly before the outbreak of World War I, it's not only a a fascinating examination of depths of human depravity, but an ominous peek into the mindset of a country about to plunge deep into its darkest period.

Haneke doesn't soften the bleakness of the story, it would be too kind.  The subject matter is cold, and so is the film.  While beautifully shot, its all in black and white, a constant reminder of the coldness of the people within the small town.  This town, much like in Von Trier's 'Dogville', on the surface looks like a quaint, tight-knit rural community, is actually a hell in of itself.  The similarities to 'Dogville' don't end there, the theme of how low humans can go, even towards one in their own community, is the major point in both.  Also similar is the stark, harsh, visually pallid take each director used.  Von Trier went with a minimal stage set, and Haneke used lack of color, but each managed to stay visually interesting despite their limitations.  Haneke doesn't go quite as far to inflict an uncomfortable viewing experience however.  It was bleak, but not uncomfortably so.  Unfortunately it also was not as interesting.  I often found myself bored, knowing where the film was going and not being challenged.  It was if a niche was found and Haneke never left it.  There is a great deal explored, but in a very Laissez-faire attitude, laid out in a structured manner with subtle undertones which lets the viewer come to their own moral conclusions.

I didn't enjoy this movie while watching it, and I think that was the point.  Its a type of movie that becomes better the more you reflect on it.  However, it has been a week since I viewed it and I have done plenty of reflecting, and I still can't say I enjoyed it.  I can appreciate what it was trying to do, but I'm not sure of the effectiveness of it. Haneke certainly has a gift for subtlety, but I wish more was done with the themes at hand.  It is certainly a beautiful, and thought provoking film but one that never quite hit home.  There isn't a single scene that sticks out in my mind, none that really connected with me.   It had all the pieces, but falls a bit flat, and while a good film, a disappointment none the less.

Rating: 3/5

Award Consideration: 'The White Ribbon' has already collected its share of awards, winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and picking up the best foreign language film at both the BAFTA awards and the Golden Globes.  It is a lock to be nominated, and will all but certainly win for best foreign picture at the Oscars as well.  Without knowing the list of nominees its hard to call whether or not its deserving.  Out of the films nominated at the Golden Globes I had only seen 'Broken Embraces' which similarly was a disappointment to me.  I'm eager to know the nominations, so I can begin my foreign film mini-marathon.  The category is always a favorite of mine.