Advertising Rules! (2001)

Just perfect...

Good concept, poorly executed.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

When I rented this mess, I neglected to notice that it was released worldwide by Columbia Pictures-Sony. As soon as I saw this on the screen, I knew what I was in for: yet another formulaic Hollywood-style 'comedy' (excuse the expression) dressed up in the German language.Advertising Rules (AKA Viktor Vogel) is only occasionally funny, and is full of American references and 'comic situations' (we've seen similar scenes in roughly 500 'comedies,' give or take, churned out by Hollywood in the past 20 years alone). Included in the usual suspect list are some of the same weary visual clichés that are varied in Advertising Rules only slightly (attempt at 'freshness' I guess) -- there's the frantic (and obligatory) out-of-control car crash, a chase in a supermarket (complete with dumbkopf cops), a brawl that ends up in garbage heap, a 'hero' (hapless of course, what else?) who gets smacked in the kisser at least four times, a hero who demonstrates the use of a chainsaw and -- what a shock!! -- sees it go out of control and destroy a table. I could go on and on (vacuous insights into the world of advertising; crusty veteran ad man throws young wannabe on his keister in the opening scenes, ends up being a father figure toward the end; sweet-as-candy, talented Hepburnesque gamin falls for dorky 'hero').You've seen it all before. Here it is again, replete with German voices. The same movie could easily have been made in Hollywood (maybe a remake is already underway -- something with, say, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell or Jack Black as the lead actor and Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow or Katie Holmes as the ever-so-sweet love interest.If you're like me (i.e. long ago fed up with derivative, repetitive, juvenile 12-20 age-group drivel that passes for 'adult' comedy in Hollywood), you'll be more vigilant in selecting films that are released internationally by major American studios. If you don't, what you'll almost inevitably get is yet another Hollywood movie with very 'safe,' by-the-numbers story lines. Exhibit 'A' is this film.

"Viktor Vogel" is an excellent (German) movie about the (often shady) world of advertising. Very up to the point, very ironic, sarcastic, but realistic. The film is full of humor both British and German style. And the actress is very beautiful!!!! In short,it is the story of a young and talented art director (Viktor Vogel) who wants to work in an advertising agency, but the managers don't pay attention to him. However the lady who represents an automotive company who is the client of the advertising company, likes the style and ideas of Viktor and Viktor finds also precious inspiration in the young and beautiful artist Rosa Braun, who will help him find secure a bright future thanks to her ideas. In fact, Viktor and Rosa are totally complementary, idealistic and talented persons in a competitive world. Nice love story and nice story about the world of advertising.

Viktor Vogel is a young man who want to work in an advertising agency. He has fresh ideas for the agency. Eddie Kaminsky is a man who needs a new idea to stay on top. Kaminsky needs Viktor's unique outlook on advertising and Viktor needs Kaminsky's years experience in work force. Together might a good team with the help of Viktor's girlfriend Rosa. I think the movie went slow in some parts in the story, but it has potential plot in the film. The ending was a little strange, nevertheless it worth checking out.

One of the sentences you learn going to a filmschool is: "A comedy is only a comedy if someone is laughing. If nobody is laughing, then it is not a comedy. It is something else."I think this is what best fits for this film. It is a story about a young guy (Viktor Vogel, whyever this comic-name) seeking a job in a big commercial company. He finally gets there, but only because the company needs him to make a deal with Opel. After the deal has gone, he is kind of thrown out.That's the story. I don't think it's funny. Let alone all those little things like the (german) synchronization, of the mumbling voice of Götz George, of all the stereotyped characters without any depth nor wound. The film was okay if it would have been broadcast on the television. But it simply doesn't fit into a cinema room. For this it is too "small". I'd recommend this film only for: how not to make a funny film.