Chris Kraus' Vier Minuten, aka Four Minutes
Hannah Herzsprung, Monica Bleibtreu, Jasmin Tabatabai
Jan 19, 2009
A Moving German Film
Vier Minuten revolves around gifted international pianist Jenny Von Loeben--in somewhat unusual circumstances--a bad past has landed her in jail. The story takes place in a women’s prison where piano lessons are given by Frau Traude Krueger, who is not without her own biases and checkered past. These two characters, with their idiosyncrasies, make a surprisingly good pairing. Luckily for the audience, it does not take the mushy, predictable path movies of this nature tend to take.
Jenny and Krueger Set the Stage
Much of the film is predictable and standard—not that it pretends certain aspects won’t be. The film begins with a typical enough plot—Frau Krueger has been teaching piano for years, though at the moment she has four students and the warden vaguely threatens to stop offering piano lessons altogether. Efforts are made, especially by the security guard, Mütze (who is apparently vying most for her attention and respect), for new students. However, at the beginning of the promising ex-prodigy’s lesson, tempers flare and Jenny puts Mütze in the hospital when he tries to restrain her. Before being carted off, though, Jenny tears off a beautiful number on the piano, impressing Frau Krueger with her incomparable skills.
Chris Kraus' Writing Not Predictable
The film takes a few unexpected turns, keeping it from following in the steps of other films' past trite efforts. As expected, Jenny's talents earn publicity for the prison and she becomes involved in a competition. Vicious efforts by inmates who have had it in for Jenny for some time (one girl is particularly determined, played by Bandits' Jasmin Tabatabai), combined with Mütze's inability to forgive and accept her (weak) apology when prompted by Frau Krueger, end up making it impossible for Jenny to be allowed into the competition. While these aren't big surprises, the confrontation between Frau Krueger and Jenny is unusual and honest. The performance Jenny ends up giving at the competition (it's hardly a spoiler to know she does end up getting there) is also unexpected and more than worth waiting for.
Strength in Characters, Soundtrack
The characters and how they manage to interact despite their social shortcomings make for a very compelling film. Hannah Herzsprung's Jenny is thoroughly engaging both in her character and in the amazing soundtrack her character provides. Monica Bleibtreu's Frau Krueger is a somber, withdrawn character; we get glimpses into her past until she finally unburdens herself to Jenny--though the pieces are not hard to assemble. Their relationship makes the film worth watching--it is not forced, saccahrine or predictable, and Vier Minuten is an altogether charming film.
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