Antibodies (2005)

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Producers tried to promote this as the German answer to „Silence of the Lambs" and every second, the film tries so very hard at fulfilling this premise – but in the end it's just wishful thinking and trying (unsuccessfully) to emulate the original.So where did "Antikörper" go wrong? Well, "Silence of the Lambs" had many things going for it: a brilliant cast, an excellent director and was based on a very successful, poignant novel. Neither of this can be said about the crew and premise of "Antikörper".The story itself is simple: a brutal yet brilliant serial killer is comprehended, jailed and (dying from Aids) interrogated by a troubled countryside cop. The naïve cop, intellectually no match for the killer, is soon absorbed by the twists of a psychopathic mind.Nothing new or non-predictable in ways of the story. The film comes across like a overblown episode of German crime series "Tatort" (and I mean the recent, filmed with video "Tatort"), which is clearly the fault of a director more at home with TV than cinema. Indeed, director Christian Alvart would go on to direct "Tatort" and similar minded TV-products.Secondarily, the acting is generally dreadful. Wotan Wilke Möhring, playing the investigating cop, is fondly remembered as Tourette syndrome-plagued stoner in the cult comedy "Lammbock" but has neither skill nor charisma to carry a film like "Antikörper". Flat is the best word to describe his performance. Same goes for Möhrings antagonist, André Hennicke, the semi-demonic Gabriel Engel (and, yes, naming your serial killer "Gabriel Angel" would have classified most other screenwriters as a hack): he tries his best to come across as Anthony Hopkins-like super-serial killer but remains throughout a pale caricature of the original Hannibal; good enough for the TV- but by no means good enough for the big-screen.Since the film is relatively gore-free (the German word is "sauber"), it relies on a couple of explicit scenes, involving anal intercourse and teenage masturbation. Those scenes are awkward (saying it kindly) and, again, Möhring makes as good a passionate lover as he does an inspector.There is an infinite number of "Silence of the Lambs" rip-offs and interpretations being produced internationally – save yourself "Antikörper" because in this two hours you could watch a better one anytime.3 out of 10 – and that's called 'generous'.

A strong hero is mandatory in this kind of movie; after all, no self-respecting serial killer would bother to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent... "Just believing in our innocence isn't enough," the put-upon, part-time policeman observes at one point. The killer, warming to his favorite subject (the rape and murder of little boys), says, of one young victim: "The boy was beautiful. A little angel of darkness." His contention that even kids can be criminally cruel (he recounts his own torture at the hands of others) is a deeply disturbing but profound observation. "Man was never a beast," a priest states matter-of-factly. Uh-huh. Check out ANTIBODIES and see for yourself.

(very slight plot spoilers--though less spoilers than the Netflix envelope has!) After serial killer Gabriel Engel (André Hennicke) is finally captured (in a police raid that is one of the more memorable opening scenes in recent years), a sleepy village rejoices, assuming that the murder of a local girl has been solved. Martens (Wotan Wilke Möhring), the village's head police officer who has been dedicated to solving her murder, doesn't believe Engel was her killer. After all, his victims were all young boys. He goes to the city to try to learn from the institutionalized Engel. The twisted (yet strangely charismatic) killer takes a liking and opens up to him, despite having been mute towards the big-city cops and doctors. After several meetings with the sly killer, Martens finds his mind-frame and behaviors changing. As his personality unintentionally morphs, he also starts experiencing stress on the home-front with his family and the other villagers. Will he be able to solve this case before the killer completely infiltrates his brain? This fantastic film is like the pervy German nephew of "Silence of the Lambs." I have to admit, even though this movie doesn't have the benefit of the iconic Lecter, I enjoyed it more than the popular American film. And while comparisons to other films are easy to make, "Antikörper" does have a unique and peculiar air about it. It manages to be sleazy and nasty yet incredibly thought-provoking and challenging at the same time, which I think is a hard feat. Stellar performances all around, especially by the two male leads. Excellent and ballsy movie.

I watched the DVD last night and thought it to be one of the best movies I've seen this year. The acting from the leads was excellent - never overdone and highly believable. The opening sequence gripped me and from thereon in I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The story develops at a great pace with some lovely twists and red herrings. Yes - some may see them coming but even so, it doesn't detract from a hugely enjoyable and often disturbing story. The direction and cinematography was also were superb - some great camera work and use of (sometimes washed out and grainy) colour and slow-motion. Highly recommended viewing before the inevitable Hollywood treatment. (CGI deer - ouch - 'nuff said!)