Soundless
(Lautlos/2004)
Picture: B- Sound: C+ Extras: C- Film: C+
A cycle
of thinking action films has sprung up in Germany, with Run Lola Run the most successful of them. Though not a huge fan of the film, this
critic thought it was at least interesting and ambitious. Tom Tykwer has naturally become involved in
other such projects, including producing Mennan Yapo’s Soundless (2004), involving a triangle that begins with the
supposedly last assignment of hitman Viktor (Joachim Krol) the does not go as
planned.
The twist
is that he falls for Nina (Nadja Uhl), who he does not kill during the
assignment because it was not “part of the mission” to the dismay of his
assigner. Then, when she is about to
commit suicide, Viktor saves Nina and a unique affair begins. While this transpires, Viktor is being
pursued by the investigator Lang (Christian Berkel) and a sort of slow chase
scenario beings. The film is not bad, with
a few action sequences worth a look, but it is not always able to bring things
together to best effect and a combination of predictability and cliché keep it
from further success. Still, the acting,
directing, pacing and attempts to do something different are admirable, but you
can tell writer/director Yapo thinks the material is fresher than it actually
is.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is not bad, with some good detail and
cinematographer Torsten Lippstock’s use of slight whitening of the frame for
the hitman’s dream sequences and dream feelings when he is with the lady of his
desires in real life is not overdone and holds in this transfer. The film was a Dolby Digital theatrical
release, but the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no surrounds and it is best not
to think that this is the best representation of the original audio mix. The only extra is the original German
Theatrical Trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo
