An Exercise In Nonsense

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

"Bandits" is a German 110-minute movie from 1997, so this one has its 20th anniversary this year. Katja von Garnier is the director here and also one of the writers and this is not the only occasion she worked with actress Katja Riemann. But probably the worst, at least I hope so. Yes I just wrote "writers", which means that actually several people worked on this movie and they still did not see all the flaws that are wrong with it. And even if I am generally a bit biased when it comes to Riemann, I still can only shake my head at her winning a German Film Award for this film. The entire plot has nothing to do with realism. This refers to the biggest crucial parts and events as well as the details. This is the story of a group of musicians who manage to break out while they are supposed to give a concert. Okay, so the police are huge idiots here and they really screwed up, but what happens next is even more embarrassing. While on the run, the gang turns into successful musicians and they are cheered at by audiences. Why? Why? Why? There are criminals on the run. Oh yes lets buy their records, won't we? And the police still can't catch them despite all this. Embarrassing stuff. Needless to say that the music in this film is extremely mediocre from start to finish, sometimes weak and this still makes it better than all the rest I guess. Now if they keep getting away from the police, they have to be somewhat criminal masterminds right? Nope not at all. Pretty much all of them act like fools on several occasions. Stupid romance plots include a romance story between a hostage and one of the criminals. Think of OitNB, Prison Break, Vier Minuten etc. and think of everything that could have gone wrong with these movies but didn't. Then you can basically imagine what to expect here. In order to keep audiences (especially horny men I guess) from seeing all the flaws with this movie they included a graphic sex scene including the not so unattractive Jasmin Tabatabai. Oh yeah, the young Nicolette Krebitz' looks are probably by far the best thing about this movie. I am honestly glad she makes films nowadays that are far superior to what we have here. But performance-wise nobody stands out at all, even if the script certainly did not help anybody here at all. But it is especially embarrassing in the case of Katja Riemann who I consider a quite untalented actress and who built her success and the fact that she still gets cast in lead roles two decades later on garbage films like this one here. No idea what awards bodies were thinking. Overall, this film is certainly a contender for worst film of 1997 and also a contender for being among the worst films of the 1990s from everywhere. I highly recommend to stay far far away. Also it proves that the likes of Jaenicke, Sawatzki etc. are people who score through recognition value and charisma and definitely not through great range. The crime plot in the center of it all is as crap as everything else in this movie. Nothing makes sense. And sadly, it is also overlong with an embarrassing final sequence/performance. Nothing feels realistic or authentic. Do. Not. Watch.

This is a refreshing and offbeat German film that keeps the viewer's interest even when the situation becomes a bit improbable. The fact that the music that these four women inmates make is likable enhances the quality of the movie, in my opinion (early on when the band does a cover, in English, of "All Along the Watchtower," an obvious yet inspired choice, I decided at that point the film was going to have merit...). Also while each of the characters has a "story," there isn't a lot of on screen emphasis given to their individual backgrounds per se.For a film that offers a different twist on female convicts and somehow blends music, satire and the bonds of friendship, this is worth taking a look at.

i am amazed at the attitude towards subtitled movies in north america, but then it shouldnt be surprising cause reading is considered work by most. i lived in europe for the first 25 years of my life, so i am used to watching movies from many different countries. since i'm living in north america i miss the french and italian thrillers and comedies, historic movies that are written from a different point of view... a non-"we rule the world" point of view people rather wait for hollywood to make a sad copy of a good movie, than watching the original thanks to dvd players that play any region DVD and TVs that can take Pal and NTSC its easier now to see european movies, thanks to online sales and auctions.

Bandits is a film filled with laughter, tears, and good old fashioned Rock'n'roll. And if your a man who thinks this film is just another lowly chick flick you have another thing coming, Bandits is filled with something for everyone and I mean everyone! So if have not seen it get up off your rear, pick up your keys, rent it- buy it, whatever, just remember to keep your keys handy because you just may need to go out and get your hands on the killer soundtrack!!!