Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Pretty Good

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

I was slightly surprised to see this rather mediocre German social-drama having reached the US video stores. Less surprising was that Moritz Bleibtreu was promoted as "star of 'Munich'" (which is true – he did have a 30 second appearance) and some critics witty line, "Freud filtered through Fassbinder". Ironically, the line is true: Fassbinder wasn't a particularly good or interesting director and Sigmund Freud's theories are rather outdated.The story revolves around the Tschirner clan, what, consisting of neurotic transsexuals, sex-addicts and paedophiles, all hidden behind the facade of an average middle-class German family.The dysfunctions within the family seem at all times beyond hope or redemption and none of the characters are remotely sympathetic, likable, even completely comprehensive (unless perhaps you're from a similar background, in which case you might not even want to watch this film in the first place). "Agnes and his brothers" simply isn't a pretty film nor is it a film that will leave you feeling better if you happen to watch it when you feel down. Most importantly: it doesn't tell us anything new.What can be said about the acting? Well, the main focal points of the film being Martin Weiss as Agnes and Moritz Bleibreu as his sex-addict brother, neither performance comes across as completely convincing. Especially Bleibtreu, at the time hailed as the new hope of German cinema, seems stuck with a limited repertoire. Weiss on the other hand proves that he can convincingly wear a frock and woman's make-up – that doesn't make an actor but explains why this has remained his last appearance on the big screen (with the exception of the children's movie "Nick Knatterton").Herbert Knaup, playing the oldest brother Werner and member of the Green Party, still has the best part in the movie – although the scene where he, in a grand-gesture, defecates on a piece of paper and ceremoniously carries his "product" away, seems to say more about this type of movie making than about his own schizophrenic behaviour.As said, if you're looking for a film to drag you down or tell you time and again about the rotten times we leave and if you're looking for the most sanctimonious endings in recent European cinema, this may be for you.

So many films are just "over the top" that it's refreshing to see one that has such a real "feel" to it.I liked the cuts and transitions which interweave the lives of the brothers. The blending of three very different lives and personalities complete a fascinating portrait of a family. In a way it might have been "3 brothers and their father". (His character was not developed, but the three brothers' relationship to him made him a central figure.) That there is something dysfunctional within the film could be inferred from the title, but that does not imply anything interesting nor worthwhile in the film. Happily, it is interesting and fascinating.I don't know if all dysfunctional families are interesting, but this one certainly is. Possibly, it is because the characters are so well developed that we can empathize with them. All in all - quite enjoyable.

Having seen this film, I was left with the feeling that it betrayed its title. Although the acting was superb, the script or directing was lacking. This had to happen. Each of the three characters is the center of a separate story and each of these stories could have quite happily been a separate film. Agnes' story succeeds in being painful to watch, but I was lost because so little time given to Agnes' characterization. Agnes' fate begs the question: "Is there no happy ever after for Transexuals?" Of Course there is. But, it does not suit the tone of the film, which is a parody on middle class, liberal, left wing families.I can't see this being a fair answer to American Beauty as that film was quite mystical in nature and the main character was very well introduced and described.

I was very touched. This may be because marriage fight is one of the main topics. It was great how characters that have an obvious "flaw" or "tick" fight for their happiness but struggle and fail so much at times. Problem was the actors are so well-known in Germany that I wasn't completely convinced. Like Moritz Bleibtreu is just too warm and kind for a guy like that. Some questions were not answered. Especially about the wife, why didn't she love him anymore, why did she use to love him? Even the filmmaker didn't know what the persons could have changed to make it easier. (Even the filmmaker let one person completely alone in the movie). I wasn't so touched by the Agnes, because I cannot relate to such a CALM person but I liked her and followed with mild(er) interest.I liked it so much because it was REAL problems with an entertaining approach to present them.