The Good German (2006) – 4K Ultra HD Assessment

      The Good German, 2006.

      Directed by Steven Soderbergh.

      Featuring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, and Tobey Maguire.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Steven Soderbergh’s imperfect 2006 project, The Good German, is making its debut in 4K Ultra HD. A Blu-ray version is also included, but there is no digital copy code or any bonus features apart from the trailer.

      I have a great appreciation for directors who take risks. While attempting something unconventional may not work out in their favor, I admire the courage to experiment. A good example of this is The Good German, which tries to infuse a 1940s film aesthetic into a contemporary movie. The connections to the classic film Casablanca are particularly evident.

      Set in the final days of World War II, the narrative follows George Clooney as Jacob “Jake” Geismer, a journalist dispatched to Berlin to report on the Allied discussions in Potsdam. He soon becomes entangled in the mystery of his driver, Corporal Patrick Tully (Tobey Maguire), who has been murdered. This event leads him to reconnect with his former girlfriend, Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett), due to her marriage to the elusive Emil Brandt, a figure pursued by several interested parties.

      The storyline offers many intriguing twists, and the ending ties everything together, although the nod to the iconic conclusion of Casablanca feels somewhat obvious. Additionally, the effort to replicate 1940s filmmaking can sometimes feel contrived, particularly when the film employs language and scenarios that would have violated the Hays Code of that era.

      Moreover, while I enjoy watching George Clooney and Cate Blanchett, I have never been a fan of Tobey Maguire, and he feels out of place here. I confess I was relieved when his character met an early fate. The remaining cast, including Beau Bridges in a minor role, delivers solid performances, and the integration of actual archival newsreel footage complements the black-and-white film that Soderbergh shot.

      The Good German had a mediocre box office performance upon its 2006 release, so it's no surprise it ended up as a Warner Archive title for its 4K Ultra HD debut. To be fair, many Warner Archive releases are quality films; however, I find this one lacking in various aspects.

      The film looks impressive in 4K, which is expected given its age. I doubt much restoration work was required for this release. Warner Bros. produced the film on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs, both lacking any bonus content except for the theatrical trailer.

      It would have been nice to have at least a commentary track for this film, though perhaps Soderbergh prefers not to invest more time and effort into a movie that didn’t perform well at the box office and struggled to find a place in the home video market. Hearing from a film critic would have been interesting — perhaps offering two tracks, one from a critic who appreciated the film and another from one who did not.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook