Joe and Max

Although it is a typical TV show (the effects, direction, music, all sort of TV style), it is excellent, especially thanks to the great acting performance of Til Schweiger and a truly top-notch story in which the typical boxing film scheme is combined with a dramatic political plane, and where the small worlds of friends Max Schmeling and Joe Louis are constantly confronted with their implied mythology by national ideologies. The tumultuous period of the late 1930s offers a truly vivid background for excellent drama, but the film could really use more space for the psychology of both rivals. Even so, Joe and Max is an extraordinarily impressive and interesting story of two small particles in a storm of world history. (24/09/2005)

Although this is not a very bombastic production, there are a lot of facts that make me willing to go all out. In terms of the film itself, the music here is excellent, and the soundtrack is very listenable even without the visual perception. The set design is very decent and Til Schweiger is perfect. And of course, the most important Czech actress and producer whose fame resonated throughout Europe, Anny Ondra, is remembered here. True, Peta Wilson wasn't really up to the task of playing her, and it's unforgivable that she's taller than Til. ;) But on the other hand, Jenn Sky was not available, and when her role had to be narrowed down to that of a wife, Peta gave it her best. In the areas wherein people had no idea that Max had a partner, the situation in terms of information improved a lot, and that is important. Now it is time to bring Anny out of the shadow of the battle for everything - the battle between Germany and America. The damage done by the first sloppy Max and Joe movie, Ring of Passion with Britt Ekland, was partially repaired. Let's see if the third film, Max Schmeling - Fist of the Reich with Susanne Wuest, goes any further. (07/02/2009)