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 ...

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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.

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Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 9, 2020 3.5/4.0

A film of great history, great poetry, and great power.

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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.

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Angie Ward Christianity Today Nov 1, 2006 3/4

Succeeds as a comedy, as a glimpse at a tumultuous time in European history, and as a thoughtful look at the great lengths to which people will go for important relationships.

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Betsy Bozdech DVDJournal.com Oct 29, 2006 3.5/4

The influx of Western culture may have been inevitable, but thanks to this charming film, we see that there was plenty in the East worth saving.

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Eric Melin Lawrence.com Sep 29, 2006 3/4

The real story is how ideologies melt when it comes to affairs of the heart. In that way, the movie has an appeal that goes way beyond its country's borders.

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Louis-Jérôme Cloutier Panorama Dec 16, 2004 A-

Un film qui propose la fois une rflexion intelligente sur la chute du mur de Berlin, un divertissement amusant et un rcit touchant.

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Tony Medley tonymedley.com Oct 7, 2004 6/10

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Nick Davis Nick's Flick Picks Aug 15, 2004 B+

A political comedy that reaches you right down in your soul, reminding us without any Benigni-ish moral frivolity that life sure is complicated, but it is also beautiful.

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Boyd van Hoeij european-films.net Jul 29, 2004

An enjoyable comedy about keeping a big thing secret from someone and an interesting drama about family ties and values and politics.

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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.

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Linda Cook Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) Jul 18, 2004 3.5/4

This is an unusual and tender story about the love of a family for each other.

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Enrique Buchichio Uruguay Total Jul 12, 2004 5/5

Hay varios aspectos en los cuales conectar con esta pelcula, al punto de que casi nadie permanecer indiferente.

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Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) Jun 7, 2004 4/5

"The premise runs its course well before the end. But the film more than compensates with its bright good nature and intelligence."

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Jules Brenner Cinema Signals May 31, 2004 3.5/5

A bit far-fetched perhaps, but much comedy is.

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Eric D. Snider EricDSnider.com May 27, 2004 B+

Director Wolfgang Becker can claim the film's depth as its greatest achievement. He has taken an absurd situation, a silly premise, and added weight to the humor.

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