22 TONI ERDMANN 2016

FAKE TEETH AND REAL LAUGHS…

EXPECTATION A three-hour German comedy? Hmmm.

OMG From the basic premise of a father (Peter Simonischek) punking his workaholic daughter (Sandra Hüller) with a series of practical jokes, Maren Ade fashioned an inquiring, moving, uproarious comedy about generational conflict, women in modern workplaces, and international capitalism. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT An Oscar nom, and a proposed US remake – starring Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wiig – which then fell apart.

“Are you a bit happy here, at least?” Andy Kaufman’s abrasive humour was a key influence.