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Good Bye Lenin!

Play trailer Poster for Good Bye Lenin! R,  2003,  2h 1m,  Comedy/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 91% 108 Reviews Tomatometer 93% 50,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 108 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In October 1989, right before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Alex Kerner (Daniel Brühl) is living with his mom, Christiane (Kathrin Sass), and sister, Ariane (Maria Simon). But when the mother, a loyal party member, sees Alex participating in an anti-communist rally, she falls into a coma and misses the revolution. After she wakes, doctors say any jarring event could make her have a heart attack, meaning the family must go to great lengths to pretend communism still reigns in Berlin.
Good Bye Lenin!

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Heartfelt and sly, Good Bye, Lenin! succeeds as a satire by foregrounding the personal before the political, yielding a charming comedy full of sociopolitical insight.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Jun 29, 2022
German writer-director Wolfgang Becker creates an intriguing story of a family traumatized by politics, then lets it drift off into an elaborate sitcom-style hoax ... Go to Full Review
Kirk Honeycutt The Hollywood Reporter Jul 21, 2004
Non-Germans will certainly get the essence of the humor but may find the movie long and repetitive. Go to Full Review
Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution May 13, 2004
B-
Charming and eventually poignant. Go to Full Review
Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media Dec 17, 2021
4/5
While the finale might be a bit neat and tidy for some, Good Bye Lenin! still manages to be a political comedy with a heart and a conscience. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 9, 2020
3.5/4.0
A film of great history, great poetry, and great power. Go to Full Review
Deborah Hornblow Hartford Courant Jan 2, 2018
4/5
"Good bye, Lenin!'' is a wonder of a film with humor and heart and political savvy to spare. Don't miss it. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Draco L Jan 19, 2019 So beautiful. Even watching this with English subtitles, but not dubbed over, is still an touching experience. The soundtrack is easily one of the best ever. This film presents a mix of humor with emotional scenes which strikes a certain note, which I love so much. I highly recommend this film. Wenn Sie von Deutschland kommen, lieben Sie diesen Film. Wenn Sie von Amerika kommen, lieben Sie diesen Film. See more
Albus L Feb 24, 2018 1001 movies to see before you die.
Hermione G Oct 6, 2017 An intelligent film a woman on a protest during the troubles in a divided Germany during the Cold war suffers a heart attack she falls into a coma. When she comes around her children pretend that they are still part of East Germany and nothing has changed. How long can they keep it a secret? a sad ending when she becomes ill but overall enjoyable and worth a watch See more
Han R Oct 1, 2017 Funny, heartfelt and imbued with a sharp social critique, Good Bye, Lenin! retains the best elements from both entertainment and sociological study. See more
George S Aug 24, 2017 Too much love... is evil or good? Maybe this perfect movie is the answer.
Harry M Jan 24, 2017 Well acted, funny and emotional.
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Good Bye Lenin!

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Wolfgang Becker

Director

Daniel Brühl

Alexander "Alex" Kerner

Maria Simon

Ariane Kerner

Chulpan Khamatova

Lara

Florian Lukas

Denis

Alexander Beyer

Rainer

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Good Bye Lenin!

A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! A scene from the film GOOD BYE, LENIN! View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In October 1989, right before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Alex Kerner (Daniel Brühl) is living with his mom, Christiane (Kathrin Sass), and sister, Ariane (Maria Simon). But when the mother, a loyal party member, sees Alex participating in an anti-communist rally, she falls into a coma and misses the revolution. After she wakes, doctors say any jarring event could make her have a heart attack, meaning the family must go to great lengths to pretend communism still reigns in Berlin.
Director
Wolfgang Becker
Producer
Stefan Arndt
Screenwriter
Wolfgang Becker, Bernd Lichtenberg
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
X-Filme Creative Pool, Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 9, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.1M
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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