Gloomy Sunday Movie Review 2002

Story of a complex love triangle and Nazi oppression in 1930's Budapest, told in extended flashback. Jewish restaurant owner Laszlo (Krol), his waitress/lover Ilona (Marozsan) and pianist Andras (Dionisi) are all involved with one another when German salesman Hans (Ben Becker) falls for Ilona and eventually befriends the trio. Inspired by Ilona, Andras composes a hit song (the titular "Gloomy Sunday") that causes a rash of suicides. Three years later, Hans returns to Budapest as an SS colonel and is immediately torn between his dedication to the ideals of the Third Reich and his three friends. The characters are complex and well-written, and the tension is thick as they all struggle with the ethical implications of their actions as war encroaches on Budapest. Somewhat marred by stilted, melodramatic moments, but the excellent story and fine acting more than makes up for it.

Distribution

Not Yet Released

Available on DVD
Running time 114 minutes.
Originally from German, Hungarian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

World War II, Romantic Triangles, Waiters & Waitresses, Flashback, Eastern Europe, Diner

Screenplay

Rolf Schuebel, Ruth Thoma

Cast

Joachim Krol, Stefano Dionisi, Ben Becker, Erika Marozsan, Sebastian Koch, Laszlo I. Kish, Rolf Becker

Cinematography

Edward Klosinski

Director

Rolf Schuebel

Music

Detlef Petersen, Rezso Seress

Other

Wolfgang Schukrafft, Ursula Hoef, Csaba Stork, Volker Schaefer, Andrea Flesch

Producer

Kerstin Ramcke, Focus Film, Studio Hamburg, Polygram Filmproduktion, Dom Film, Arrow Releasing