Stroszek (1977) Reviews

Stroszek (1977)
Member Rating:  
Can anything be bleaker than the shabby slums of Berlin? Yes, argues director Werner Herzog in Stroszek: try Wisconsin sometime. Bruno S.. stars as an ex-mental patient who dreams of the so-called promised land of America. He aligns himself with like-minded prostitute Eva Mattes and elderly, near-senile Clemens Scheitz. Upon their arrival in Wisconsin, the three misfits find that they're just as trapped in Dairy Country as they'd been in Germany--if not more so. The sour and bitter Stroszek earned worldwide critical and commercial acclaim. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Bruno S., Eva Mattes, (more)
Director(s):
Werner Herzog
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(10 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

David M.

'Stroszek' will surely be appreciated by any Werner Herzog fan. Through the eyes of the protagonists, three misfit German immigrants coping with ordinary characters and circumstances in a small American town, Herzog frames the strangeness of life generally and the irony/beauty/futility of the American Dream. The cast of mostly untrained actors is awesome. Must see the end to appreciate the narrative that (slowly) develops.

Yes   |   No


Jeanette Murdock C.

Director Werner Herzog acknowledges ambivalence toward America, and in Stoszek, his ambivalence is pretty obvious. Herzog films Plainfield, WI, and he focuses on railroad tracks, truck stops, junk yards, unpaved parking lots, treeless fields, and poorly kept mobile homes. Depressing! No wonder the main characters, German immigrants, become disillusioned with "get rich quick" America. No getting rich in Plainfield. And Cherokee, North Carolina, fares no better. Its cheesiest tourist traps dominate the last few minutes of the film. But Herzog features Bruno S., son of a German prostitute. Bruno's mother did not want him, so he was institutionalized when he was three years old. He spent years in asylums and survived with obvious quirks. In Stroszek, he more or less plays himself. His reactions to Stroszek's colorful characters, including locals, criminals, a prostitute, and a few feathered friends, are the highlights of the film.

Yes   |   No


Luke J.

I have a love hate relationship with Herzog films--Aguirre especially. They are slow. Hopefully, you would already know this before attempting to rent one of his films. He holds shots much longer than Eisenstein would have suggested, but there is a lyrical beauty to Herzog's film, this one included. I'm still not sure if I love this film, but I certainly liked it; however, the scene of Bruno S. playing the accordion in the ally, for sure, is one of the most beautifully filmed scenes I've seen in a long time. Also, wait for the ending before you make your decision on this film. I have also not decided if the ending is heavy handed or not. To be very clear, this film will probably only appeal to Herzog fans or fans of European cinema in general.

Yes   |   No


Daniel S.

Very interesting German secnes. And altogether an interesting film. Worth seeing for sure.

Yes   |   No


Steve E.

Talk about strange people going to a strange land and meeting more strange people. Probobly slow going for 99% of viewers but I was oddly compelled by this collection of oddballs. Talk about the American Dream hitting you upside the head. The bleakness of the landscapes really added to the pathos. Good one.

Yes   |   No


Alec M.

A beautiful and poetic commentary of a Berlin resident who moves to the United States only to discover that while the physical violence of where he left hurts, the American "contract" encouraged by commercialism and the need for material goods and aided and abetted by the government, is more abusive than the Nazis. While the film is slow it does have a poignant ending making one wonder if the chicken will ever stop doing the dance.

Yes   |   No


Nataliya and arie P.

don't waste your time on this movie

Yes   |   No


TERRANCE M.

IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO WHAT A REAL LIFE COULD BE

Yes   |   No


Brian P.

Gummo!?! This movie rocks, but it should not be associated with lame-o pop culture fads. If anything bring up Ian Curtis.

Yes   |   No


Dai O.

Werner Herzog's best film. This is why Bunny boy is playing an accordion in Gummo.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (10)
     
    David M.

    'Stroszek' will surely be appreciated by any Werner Herzog fan. Through the eyes of the protagonists, three misfit German immigrants coping with ordinary characters and circumstances in a small American town, Herzog frames the strangeness of life generally and the irony/beauty/futility of the American Dream. The cast of mostly untrained actors is awesome. Must see the end to appreciate the narrative that (slowly) develops.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jeanette Murdock C.

    Director Werner Herzog acknowledges ambivalence toward America, and in Stoszek, his ambivalence is pretty obvious. Herzog films Plainfield, WI, and he focuses on railroad tracks, truck stops, junk yards, unpaved parking lots, treeless fields, and poorly kept mobile homes. Depressing! No wonder the main characters, German immigrants, become disillusioned with "get rich quick" America. No getting rich in Plainfield. And Cherokee, North Carolina, fares no better. Its cheesiest tourist traps dominate the last few minutes of the film. But Herzog features Bruno S., son of a German prostitute. Bruno's mother did not want him, so he was institutionalized when he was three years old. He spent years in asylums and survived with obvious quirks. In Stroszek, he more or less plays himself. His reactions to Stroszek's colorful characters, including locals, criminals, a prostitute, and a few feathered friends, are the highlights of the film.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Luke J.

    I have a love hate relationship with Herzog films--Aguirre especially. They are slow. Hopefully, you would already know this before attempting to rent one of his films. He holds shots much longer than Eisenstein would have suggested, but there is a lyrical beauty to Herzog's film, this one included. I'm still not sure if I love this film, but I certainly liked it; however, the scene of Bruno S. playing the accordion in the ally, for sure, is one of the most beautifully filmed scenes I've seen in a long time. Also, wait for the ending before you make your decision on this film. I have also not decided if the ending is heavy handed or not. To be very clear, this film will probably only appeal to Herzog fans or fans of European cinema in general.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 10 Reviews
       

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