Toni Erdmann

"Toni Erdmann" is a father/daughter comedy-drama from Germany that critics are calling a masterpiece and the best film of the year when, in fact, it's just the kind of sentimental twaddle that Hollywood does somewhat more slickly and already we're told it's to be remade as a vehicle for Jack Nicholson in a role that could win him a fourth Oscar.

It certainly isn't a bad movie but it's far from being a great one and at almost three hours is way too long. The humour is broad and obvious and every plot device is signposted in advance. What redeems the film are the performances of Peter Simonischek as the father and Sandra Huller as his daughter. Indeed, Simonischek is terrific as the shambolic joker who decides to interfere in his daughter's business affairs when he feels she isn't coping and Toni Erdmann is the fictitious character he invents to activate his plan. Huller is equally good as the daughter who seems to have lost her way in life, (her rendition of 'The Greatest Love of All' is worth the price of admission). In fact, they are both so good I just kept wishing they had better material to work with. It's pleasant enough but I am still baffled by its success.