Bis zum Ellenbogen
Achim, a risk-taking young shipowner, and Willi, an inventive bon vivant, collide in the Swiss Alps. The accident alone reveals the rifts that lie between their worlds. Only Sven, the peace-loving bank employee from Sylt, who takes them both in at his vacation cabin, manages to broker a truce with cheese and wine. However, by an unfortunate coincidence, Sven dies at a happy moment. Now Achim and Willi have a problem: what to do with the body? Before his death, Sven told them all sorts of things: about his boss at the bank and fresh bread rolls, a lot of black money and the key to it. While Germany is in the grip of World Cup fever, Achim and Willi travel with Sven's body from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. On Sylt, the dead man is supposed to wave to his boss one last time before being buried at his elbow as requested. But there's a catch: black money doesn't stink, but Sven does!
Insights
Plot Summary
Dr. Georg Steiner, a respected surgeon, finds his meticulously ordered life unraveling when he becomes entangled with a young woman involved in a criminal underworld. As he tries to protect her, he is drawn deeper into a dangerous game of deception and violence, forcing him to confront his own moral boundaries. Steiner must navigate a treacherous path between his professional integrity and the escalating personal risks.
Critical Reception
'Bis zum Ellenbogen' was generally well-received by critics for its tense atmosphere and strong performances, particularly from Christian Berkel. The film was praised for its psychological depth and its effective exploration of a man's descent into a morally ambiguous situation. However, some reviews noted that the plot occasionally became convoluted, though the overall suspense was maintained.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its suspenseful narrative and strong lead performance.
- Appreciated for its examination of moral decay and psychological tension.
- Some critics found the plot occasionally predictable or complex.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'Bis zum Ellenbogen' is not widely available on Google, making it difficult to summarize specific likes or dislikes. However, films of this nature often resonate with viewers who appreciate intense dramas with morally complex characters and suspenseful plotlines.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Austrian author Kurt Tucholsky, though the movie significantly alters the setting and plot details.
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