Look Who’s Back is the English language title of a
best-selling German book and subsequent box office hit movie whose literal
title translates to “He’s Back” – almost, but not quite the same thing. Currently
streaming on Netflix, the film is ostensibly a comedy. On that level, it is not
particularly noteworthy although it has its moments. But as a reflection on and
of changing attitudes in Germany, Europe and perhaps here in the U.S. too,
regarding liberalism, democracy and the social compact, it very
interesting indeed. The story imagines
what it might be like if Adolf Hitler were to return in modern Germany
The film opens with Adolf (Oliver Masucci) waking up on the
ground in his military greatcoat, a bit frayed and dusty. He’s confused. Why is
he on the ground? How did he get here? (The film does not explain.) The world
certainly looks different from 1945. In
fact, it is 2015, seventy years after Hitler’s death at the Führerbunker
(although he has no memory of that). There are some humorous bits in
which he gradually figures out the time and place; and in which he has some
interaction with modern Berliners, who are somewhat incredulous and/or amused
at this guy dressed up as and acting like he is Hitler - displaying the powerful,
authoritarian, assured personality of a dominant leader, along with a certain
sangfroid and ingratiating charm. Later, there’ll be more discoveries:
television (revolting for its insipid content of cooking shows and soap operas)
and computers (fascinating and wonderful) are two examples.
One of the present day Berliners that Adolf meets
is Sawatzky (Fabian Busch), a nebbishy reporter for the TV station, “MyTV”. Sawatzky has been trying to come up with a great
feature story in order to hold onto his job. Now here is this guy, straight-facedly
pretending to be the most evil man in modern history, Der Führer himself; moreover,
this “Hitler” never, ever steps out of character. Sawatzky finds him hilarious.
This could be the big story he needs. He helps get his new friend cleaned up a
bit, and the two head out on a mini road trip around Germany, which winds up
being a bit of a listening tour for Adolf, as he encounters various (white) Germans
who spout off about their frustrations with liberal socialism generally and
immigrants specifically. AH replies that he understands - mixing
peoples and ethnicities is what weakens Germany - and he’s here to help. Many
of those he meets seem to feel that democracy isn’t working all that well, and
seem sympathetic to Adolf’s suggestion that stronger leadership would be
better.
Sawatzky introduces Adolph to his superiors at MyTV.
The station CEO, Katje Bellini (Katje Riemann)
impressed and amused by this strange man, and believing that the Hitler persona is
a cool act, sets him up to be a foil on a hit comedy show. She’s right: Hitler
is a big success and ratings start shooting up - kinda like how people loved to
tune in for candidate D. Trump whenever he was on SNL or a talk show (though this
movie was produced prior to, and the book on which it’s based preceded, DT’s
candidacy).
Further comedic complications ensue, culminating in
a book by and a movie about the return of Der Führer, both of which are
entitled “Er Ist Wieder Da” (just like this picture). There’s a trick ending.
As I said at the outset, what’s really fascinating
about the film is its reflection of contemporary German attitudes – about the
man who led their country to infamy and ruin a couple of generations ago and
about their feelings regarding the liberal tradition and the attraction of strongman
rule. As I’ve also mentioned, there are several bits within Look Who’s Back
in which “Hitler” chats with ordinary citizens. In fact, these scenes were
unrehearsed and they do involve real folks (i.e. non-actors) talking with “Hitler”.
Many people react with amusement, but also with excitement and some kind of
admiration. And they share their views with him, which in some cases are truly
frightening. Anti-immigrant, pro-authoritarian, opposed to intermarriage
between ethnic groups, etc. The film’s
director, David Wnendt, claims that these interactions were a representative
sampling taken from around three hundred hours of such filming. Only two
participants responded negatively to “Hitler”, he says (and one of those
negative reactions is included in the movie).
Such scenes and such attitudes reflect a political
reality that has been growing not only in Germany but in many if not most Western
European nations in recent years, as evidenced by the Alternative For Germany there,
the National Front in France, the ruling Fidesz Party and the Jobbik Party in
Hungary, and others. Wnendt has commented that some
of the most extreme comments in the movie did not come from the “fringe”, but from ordinary
middle class people. That they were saying such things to “Hitler” did not seem
to faze them at all. As the film concludes, Hitler says, "I can work with this",
and we see images of right wing demonstrations and political leaders interwoven
with the credits.
Look Who’s Back is not a great comedy but
it is entertaining enough. Watching the story unfold is hauntingly fascinating.
Definitely worth a looksee. We’ll see
who gets the last laugh.
Available
streaming on Netflix.
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