Summaries

John Halder, a German literature professor in the 1930s, is initially reluctant to accept the ideas of the Nazi Party. He is pulled in different emotional directions by his wife, his mother, his mistress, and a Jewish friend.

John Halder is a good and decent individual with family problems: a neurotic wife, two demanding children, and a mother suffering from dementia. A literary professor, Halder explores his personal circumstances in a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia. When the book is unexpectedly enlisted by powerful political figures in support of government propaganda, Halder finds his career rising in an optimistic current of nationalism and prosperity. Seemingly inconsequential decisions lead to choices, which lead to more choices... with eventually devastating effect.—Anonymous

Details

Keywords
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • 1930s
  • corpse
  • censorship
  • national socialism
Genres
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • War
Release date Apr 16, 2009
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) R
Countries of origin Germany United Kingdom
Language English German French
Filming locations Budapest, Hungary
Production companies Good Films Collective Miromar Entertainment

Box office

Budget $15000000
Gross US & Canada $27276
Opening weekend US & Canada $9508
Gross worldwide $1552024

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 32m
Color Color
Sound mix Dolby Digital EX
Aspect ratio 2.35 : 1

Synopsis

Good examines the life of everyman John Halder (Mortensen), a good and decent individual with family problems: a neurotic wife, two demanding children and a mother suffering from senile dementia. A literary professor, Halder explores his personal circumstances in a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia. When the book is unexpectedly enlisted by powerful political figures in support of government propaganda, Halder finds his career rising in an optimistic current of nationalism and prosperity. Seemingly inconsequential decisions lead to choices, which lead to more choices - with eventually devastating effect.

© 2006 Penton Media, Inc.

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