In the Fade

Une bonne pièce de théâtre à regarder, sans style particulier ou discours interligne. C'est-à-dire, elle traite un sujet grave. La conclusion m'a semblé simplifiée du point de vue du scénario - la façon la plus facile de s'échapper de la situation, en plus sans laisser de sentiments résonnants chez le spectateur. (02/06/2017)

Diane Kruger is completely out of this world here. Her depressive states got right under my skin in a way, that hasn’t happened to me with a movie for a while. Likewise, the theme is very current, interesting, and in the full context of the modern period very telling. More than the movie, I was focused on the mental state of Diane’s character, which was gradually mentally collapsing like a house of cards and I was at the edge of my seat every minute. However, the movie goes into the consequences and so it also points out how problematic the German judiciary system is. I personally didn’t get what else they were expecting. I didn’t give it 5 stars possibly only because of how bad I felt after watching the movie. Injustice is a bitch. (08/11/2018)

A powerful experience that isn’t carried by a precisely researched, but still a bit manipulative screenplay, but above all humble directing and a fantastic performance by Diane Kruger. Thanks to her, the "silent avenger" becomes a being of flesh and bone, with whom we can sympathize until an extremely shocking decision at the end. The subject of right-wing terrorism may act as an irritant in a time of Islamist assassins, but Akin has dealt with a completely relevant subject - and he has dealt with it very well. (27/05/2017)

So emotionally impressive and tiring that it can get under your skin in a disturbing way “what if this happened to you". It is not a problem to ignore the fact that especially during the trial, it has glaring (extremely obvious) logical lapses (the origin of the new round, other witnesses, cameras, counter-arguments about a fake stay, etc.), just to have the screenwriting anti-system puppeteer coveted a shocking verdict. This is followed by the final act, where it gradually goes idle, fizzles out until it completely fades away. It has an effective final, but it is quite morally (on several levels) problematic due to its message. The whole third chapter seems like “we don't know where to go next, so at least we'll take a trip to the sea for a few filming days, maybe something will happen". From a personal film about loss, it suddenly turns into kind of a genre movie about revenge in an art-sophisticated style. The only strong points of the third act are (throughout the footage) the phenomenal performance of the devastated Diane and the discovery that the cold and damp Greek resorts outside the tourist season have a captivating “neo-noir" atmosphere. (11/02/2019)

A depressing as fuck and unexpectedly great film. The excellent Diane Kruger loses her son and husband in a bomb attack, which results in incredible pressure and stress from the police and a subsequent trial where I couldn't breathe. Excellent dialogue, perfect acting, stifling atmosphere and a shocking finale. Good job by the Germans. 80%. (19/08/2018)

Diane Kruger is indeed an interesting actress and she immersed herself in her role with great enthusiasm, but from my point of view, this is the least attractive film from Fatih Akin's workshop. He presents his audience with a story with clearly defined and polarized sides of the conflict. On one side, there is a repulsive manipulative lawyer representing equally repulsive murderers reduced to typical figures that are in no way "worthy" opponents for the main protagonist. The director's approach to the material is instructive, precisely determining what we should think about the film characters and what attitudes to hold. I prefer creators who provide me as a viewer with more space for reflection on the problem. The screenplay suffers from logical flaws in the trial phase in order for the screenwriter to steer the plot where he wants it to go. And I haven't even mentioned the ethically very problematic ending, which moves the film to a different level. Overall impression: 55%, and that's only while taking into consideration Diane's commitment... (08/07/2021)

A solid family drama that, had it been picked up by a capable American independent film maker, could have been a smash hit. Because firstly, German is a terrible language and at times a slight barrier. Secondly, the decent opening and the fantastic performance by Diane Kruger is dragged down by a strange ending that is supposed to be artistic and break conventions, but instead doesn't correspond with the setting of the main character. The scenes in the courtroom, where two brilliant lawyers nonchalantly duel with each other, remain the most effective and by far the best. (09/05/2018)

As an idiosyncratic study of the psychological state of a person scarred by the tragic loss of loved ones and numbed by the events around them, In the Fade works well, but as a film about correcting a failing system and fulfilling the lost meaning of life, it is somewhat flimsy and unsurprising. The best thing is the breathtaking performance of Diane Kruger, who is going for a well-deserved Oscar. (05/01/2018)

Une œuvre tout à fait précise du point de vue de la mise en scène et du jeu d'acteurs, condamnant cette fois la haine raciale à travers le thème du terrorisme de droite. L'histoire est légèrement manipulatrice et la fin un peu précipitée, ce qui n'est pas entièrement satisfaisant, mais tout jusqu'alors est bien pensé et écrit magnifiquement. Le sujet fort est utilisé dans un récit captivant, émotionnel et parfaitement construit, avec Diane Kruger qui se démarque vraiment. Ce n'est pas comme s'il n'y avait pas déjà eu de nombreux autres films sur ce sujet, mais cela importe peu, ce qui compte c'est la qualité. (03/07/2017)

Défi ciné 2018 : l’Allemagne. Alors que Fatih Akin a marqué les esprits avec son génial Head On, ce fut moins le cas avec Diane Kruger et son rôle d’Hélène de Troie. Par contre, ici, elle joue incontestablement le meilleur rôle de sa carrière et ce n’est pas pour rien que je la vois placardée partout dans les rues de Paris. C’est d’ailleurs une chance que j'ai pu voir ce film en France puisque c’est à Cannes qu’elle a été dûment récompensée, tandis que la nomination aux Oscars lui a inexplicablement échappé. L’Allemagne figure en bonne position dans mon défi de l’année et le mérite bien. Le tandem Fatih Akin—Diane Kruger fonctionne et j’espère qu’ils remettront le couvert à l’avenir. Une petite remarque pour conclure : je me suis rappelé mon examen final en droit pénal et le maudit « in dubio pro reo » qui faisait partie de la question de droit procédural que j’avais eu le malheur de tirer. Si j’avais été à la place de Diane dans cette salle d’audience, je n’aurais pas tenu le coup et me serais même probablement fait jeter ! (25/01/2018)