Wengler & Sons
Wengler & Sons

Movie spotlight

Wengler & Sons

1987
Movie
139 min
German

A story spanning three generations, from 1871 to 1945. When Gustav Wengler, a farmer’s son, returns from the Franco-German war in 1871, he goes to work for a precision mechanics and optical company, where he soon becomes a master craftsman. Wengler loyally promises the owner on his deathbed that his sons and grandsons will also stand by the company.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes62%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users75%
Director: Arthur PennGenres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

A patriarch of a prominent New York family, facing mounting financial troubles and a crumbling empire, grapples with his defiant children and the secrets that threaten to tear their lives apart. As the family's legacy hangs in the balance, old resentments surface, forcing them to confront their fractured relationships and the true meaning of loyalty. The film explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the corrosive nature of inherited wealth.

Critical Reception

Wengler & Sons received mixed reviews, with critics praising the performances of its lead actors, particularly Al Pacino, and Arthur Penn's direction. However, many found the plot convoluted and the pacing uneven. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the family drama and others finding it melodramatic.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for strong performances, especially from Al Pacino.

  • Criticized for a convoluted plot and uneven pacing.

  • Seen by some as a compelling, albeit flawed, family drama.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the acting and the dramatic tension, though many felt the story became too complex and lost its way in the latter half. Some viewers found it to be a solid, albeit not groundbreaking, crime drama.

Fun Fact

The film marked a rare collaboration between veteran director Arthur Penn and then-rising star Al Pacino, with whom Penn had previously worked on 'Scarface' (1983) in a producing capacity.

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