Toni Erdmann
SPEC D: Maren Ade. Germany. 162 min. Sep 8, 5:30 pm, Ryerson Sep 9, 12:15 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 1. Rating: NNNNN
Everything you’ve heard about the latest from German director Ade (The Forest For The Trees, Everyone Else) is true.
It’s long (two and three-quarters hours), it’s hysterically funny, it’s deeply moving, it features a show-stopping impromptu performance of a Whitney Houston song, and it’s a masterpiece.
Structured as a battle of wills between an impulsive retiree (Peter Simonischek) and his stressed-out corporate consultant daughter (Requiem’s Sandra Hüller), it’s a comedy of escalating absurdity that gradually unpacks into a heartfelt examination of two people trying to forge a proper connection after years of estrangement.
Also, there’s a Bulgarian hair monster.