Todesengel

The story starts off in an interesting manner, but loses its way after the court scenes. It does not turn into a conventional thriller, because the viewer is let in on too much fact. So it should have continued as a character study. Laura Stein, played by Cosma Shiva Hagen, is the only character in the film of whom the viewer is shown in varied moods and situations, the only character who comes to life. Maya, played by Claudia Michelsen, shows some signs of opening up her character to the viewer, but the part is too short to allow it to develop properly.

The plot seems promising at the beginning. The young characters interact with one another naturally, and the situations drive the narrative onwards. The pace changes from scene to scene, but then settles down into a rather dull portrayal of the events leading up to court, and does not change much in mood or feel after that.

In addition to the very good and varied acting performance of the leading actress, the film is notable for the sparing, but well chosen and varied, background music.

One of the failings of the film is that it does not attempt to show the relationships between the younger and older characters in any sort of detail. Indeed, these interactions are less credible than those within the age groups of the main characters.

This is not an outstanding film.