Toni Erdmann

2016 comedic drama

Rating: 15/20

Plot: After his dog dies, a guy who really loves wearing fake teeth and a wig and playing jokes tries to reconnect with his workaholic daughter.

This could have used a shorter running time, but I liked it as a dual character study. I don't think the relationship evolves quite as realistically as it should for a movie this long, but there's one moment that's great because it's strange, one moment that's great because it's really touching and strange, and several moments that are great because they're humorous.

Peter Simonischek's performance as the dad is really good, and it does feel natural. He never does anything exceptionally wacky, and his emotions never feel as false as the teeth and wig he puts on when he's in character as Toni Erdmann. Speaking of those teeth, it's really amazing how much a set of fake chompers can completely transform the appearance of a human being.

This movie has a little to say about the guises we put on to interact with various people in our lives, but I've got a terrible cold and don't feel like putting any thought into it.

This, by the way, is being remade with Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wiig. I believe Will Ferrell is somehow involved, too. Although it'll be nice to give Nicholson a chance at one more great character and performance, I don't have high hopes that Hollywood will get the sentiments of this one right.

Edit: I forgot to mention my favorite scene, a rendition of a Whitney Houston song that managed to be both really silly and poignant at the same time.