Der Krieger und die Kaiserin

Some movies do a great job of raising questions. Others give hints as to answers. Some do both.

The Princess and the Warrior is a German film, directed by Tom Tykwer staring Franka Potente (of the entertaining Bourne Identity [though not to be compared to the the Ludlum novel on which the movie is based] and the wonderfully engaging Run Lola Run - also a Tykwer vehicle).

Bodo: "It's all meaningless anyway."

Simone: "Nothing's meaningless."

These two lines, spoken in a ward for the mentally disturbed, capture the tension explored throughout Tykwer's second film with the talented Potente (Simone). A truck hits Simone - a nurse in that ward - and Bodo (Benno Furmann) saves her life. Bodo has been devastated by a tragic loss. Simone seeks out Bodo and the rest of the movie explores her quest to have a redemptive relationship with him.

Simone:

"I had a dream.

...

We were brother and sister.

mother and father,

wife and husband.

And...both of us were both."

Bodo: "You're crazy.

Simone: Yes, of course."

The plot is multifaceted without being overbearing. A small but interesting use of special effects serves to highlight Bodo's inner tension over responding to Simone. And with uncharacteristic understatement, Potente delicately portrays the quiet Simone. Well worth seeing.