Praxis Dr. Hasenbein (1997)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Helge Schneider is really famous in Germany and that is probably due to his very unique brand of comedy and movies. There's pretty much the opposite of a clean plot. It appears all very random and strange, but if his approach to comedy manages to entertain you it may very well be the greatest thing ever. Schneider turns 60 next month, so I thought why not give some of his works another watch. "Praxis Dr. Hasenbein" is a film he made roughly 20 years ago and as always there are no famous German actors in there. The cast basically consists of people that are friends to Schneider or band colleague or just actors (or non-actors) that he has known for a long time. The story is the most important factor in his movies, especially the dialogs. It's all strangely captivating and basically all the characters in the films are so absurd and over-the-top that you simply cannot look away at times. I can't say there are great emotions or a truly dramatic plot in here, even if a cute little pet gets killed in this one, but Schneider's films are 100% comedy anyway with excessive costumes and from that perspective they absolutely deliver. Also, in this one, female characters are often played by males in drag and that is frequently the case in his films too.Anyway, in here Schneider plays the doctor that is mentioned in the title and we see occasionally how he interacts with patients in his very unique manner. Or we see how he goes the local kiosk and buys surprise bags. I was at least as curious as he was looking at what's inside. But the real reason to watch this are all the dialogs and interactions between the characters. Truly hilarious. Sometimes it seems so normal as we all would do it, but there is always a somewhat absurd note to these. One example. "my wife forbid me to smoke" "you don't have a wife" "oh right, but I have a boy". Needless to say that the "boy" and son to Hasenbein is played by a man pretty much Schneider's age or older who has three times the size of Schneider, yet still acts as if he was his little kid. As I said before, this kind of humor will certainly not appeal to everybody, but if it's your cup of tea you will have a great time watching this 93-minute film written by, directed by and starring Helge Schneider. Recommended.

This film is Helge in his purest form! The first time he managed everything he was able to do, script, directing, acting. His own work, from the beginning to the end. And, as I already mentioned, his best up to date!I love "Texas", and I pray to "00 Schneider", but this one is unique! It only sets in a street with a few little shops, a home for children without parents, a cinema, a doctor and a tunnel, which is very realistically painted on a wall! And this is where all the little stories happen! And it is a lot what's going on there, I can tell you! So many funny, strange, sad and ridiculous things, amazing and unbelievable! Helge also sings his "Fitzefatze-song" and even a war is set into the story! But look for yourself! Kind of surreal, very atmospheric and pittoresc. My top 5 of characters in this Helge-movie:1. Perterchen - soooo cute! 2. Helge himself - always brilliant! 3. Tante Uschi - what a wo-man! 4. Carlos, one of the parentless kids 5. Metulski, also one of the kids Not to forget all the other brilliant characters in the film who I didn't mention! Sorry about that.Helges films are those which I watched the most in my life, and "Praxis Dr. Hasenbein" I think roundabout 20-30 times! This film never gets boring in my opinion! And I could watch it again and again, when I'm sad (uuuhuuuhh) I watch a Helge movie and he always gets me laughing, even when my hamster died.. *****BEWARE: THIS WAS A SPOILER;-))***** I know that Helge films are not for the majority, most people I know find him ridiculous, ugly and boring. But that's also what I like about this fact, he always was and still is the underdog in German comedy und das ist auch gut so meine Damen und Herren!Not 10, but 9 points, because I miss Helmut Körschgen in this movie. Rest in peace Lieutendant!

Helge strikes again. In his heydays I wasn't a particular fan of Helge's humor. I considered it ultimately low-brow. But Helge improved his skills over the years. 'Praxis Dr. Hasenbein' is his third effort. Some of the humor of the earlier films(such as the blatant miscasting) repeats. In addition you get to see some of his jazz playing abilities. The environment seems to be better stylized this time and the jokes somewhat less zany. The story never follows predictable patterns. For Helge fans a must, for others its maybe more interesting to see TEXAS first.

This and all other movies done with and by Helge Schneider are brilliant nonsense ones. I wonder if there is an international audience for Helge Schneider films. He´s a brilliant director and always funny. Carry on, Helge!