Film review: the Edukators

Classification: 15
Directed by: Hans Weingartner
Cast: Daniel Bruhl, Julia Jentsch, tipeErceg, Burghart Klaussner

Three twenty-something friends are brought together through a mutual discomfort with the way the western world is spiralling into a frenzy of capitalism and consumerism.

Not happy with staging protests in sports shops and handing out anti-sweatshop flyers Jan (Bruhl) and Peter (Erceg) reveal that they are behind a spate of break ins to mansions owned by the wealthy German upper classes. These burglaries are not in order to steal but are meant as a warning to the rich owners that their alarm systems can be by-passed and that they are not safe. Jan and Peter re-arrange the furniture and artwork in the homes then leave notes to the owners that they have too much money, and that their days of plenty are numbered.

When Peter goes away to Barcelona, Julie (Jentsch) becomes involved in the “visits” along with Jan, the outcome is disastrous. When they call in Peter to help this heist-gone-wrong story also becomes a tale of a love triangle with an unbalanced chemistry.

The story lurches from being humorous, informative and tense to thrilling without ever being preachy or holier-than-thou.

The acting is outstanding with all of the characters being thoroughly believable. Though the film is political, passionate and strongly felt, it’s also very funny.

***** (5 stars outta 5)