Mahler on the Couch (2010)

Wonderful Movie

I'll tell you why so serious

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

"Mahler auf der Couch" or "Mahler on the Couch" is a German/Austrian co-production from 2010, so this one is already over 5 years old. By now, it is the most recent release by known German filmmaker Percy Adlon who wrote and directed this film together with his son Felix. The film runs for slightly under 100 minutes (including credits) and is mostly about the life of the character mentioned in the title: successful composer Gustav Mahler. And as he is sitting on a couch, there is also a major reference to Sigmund Freud. These two are played by Johannes Silberschneider and Karl Markovics. And as I am a fan of the latter, the Freudian moments were the most memorable part for me here, even if he is just a supporting player. Silberschneider is the big lead here, maybe Romaner to a lesser extent too as it is really all about Gustav Mahler's love life and romance aspects and relationships, or maybe I should say Alma Mahler's. I know that she is a pretty baity character when it comes to films, but from this movie here I cannot really see the appeal and I also do not agree with the awards recognition. For the entire film, that is. Classical music lovers will probably enjoy the many music sequences, but this genre (or at least Mahler's approach) is not really too much to my liking either. And besides the solid visual side of the film I found it somewhat empty as almost none of the supporting characters were really interesting enough and Silberschneider's and Romaner's performances also did not get me on the edge of my seat, which, however, may also have had to do with the way they were written. All in all I found this 1.5 extremely forgettable hours and it is nothing that will get you interested in the lives of the Mahlers or Freud. I give it a thumbs-down. Not recommended. But maybe I am a bit biased as nothing I have seen from Adlon so far really explains to me why he is (or has been) so well-known and successful as a filmmaker in the last decades.

Gustav & Alma Mahler have been the stars of films like 'Mahler' (Ken Russel; 1974), 'Bride Of The Wind' / 'Alma' (Bruce Beresford; 2001), and of course there is Visconti's 'Morte A Venezia' (1971), where the names are changed to Gustav and Frau von Aschenbach.All these films are totally different from one another, and now there is 'Mahler On The Couch', which continues the tradition. A unique film, a feast for the eyes and breathtaking beautiful music.Portraying a true but neurotic genius and a femme fatale who holds her ground next to Helena of Troy, isn't easy, and probably accounts for the diversity between all these films. It must be a marvel to play these characters, and in this Mahler On The Couch all actors are very convincing. It's hard to single out anyone, but if we should, then ... Well, Barbara Romaner is amazing as Alma Mahler. That bigger than life character is surrounded by thousands of pages of biography, even more letters, and a shipload of mystification (mainly fabricated by herself, it's true). But Barbara shows the fun side and the seducing powers of the lady as well as her intelligence and passion and wish for spiritual freedom.All in all a wonderful, glowing film, giving us Sigmund Freud as a wonderful bonus. Brilliantly acted, also ! 9 stars, and waiting for many more Alma and Gustav films, maybe even the ultimate one...

Mahler On The Couch is not a German gem. It is a stylistic nightmare of zooms and novelty shots that make it almost unbearable to watch. Adlon Brother's period drama focuses Gustav Mahler seeking advice from Sigmund Freud about his cheating wife.I will admit that I was not overly exited about the content of the film. If I was more interested in Mahler or Freud I might have been able to see this film as glass half full instead of glass completely empty. I even thought that maybe I would become more interested in one of them because of the film. Unfortunately the films style was so distracting I was almost to disgusted to pay attention to the story at all.The actors were all apparently trying to channel Klaus Kinski and in doing so give some of the most over dramatic performances I have seen. I understand that having an unfaithful wife could be frustrating but the way it comes through on the screen just made me roll my eyes. I am not saying in anyway that the actors in this film are talentless but Brother's directing misses on almost every mark.If you love over dramatic, wordy, historical dramas you might like Mahler On The Couch, I however did not.Filmbalaya.com

Father-son, writing-directing duo, Felix and Percy Adlon, create a brilliant film that depicts the relationship between Gustav Mahler and his wife, Alma, as recalled by Gustav in an entertaining therapy session with Sigmund Freud.Barbara Romaner, a longtime actress of the stage, makes a seamless transition into her first film and gives a phenomenal performance as Alma Mahler – a gifted pianist and composer, who gives up everything to devote herself to her husband. Her affair with Walter Gropius is a manifestation of her ever-growing frustration with the life she has chosen. Karl Markovics, in a memorable portrayal of Freud, helps Mahler deconstruct his failed relationship. Johannes Silberschneider does a magnificent job as the brokenhearted, genius composer who struggles to re-connect with his "center point."The Adlons succeed in weaving a clever, surprisingly funny, engrossing fictional story around the factual lives of some of history's most iconic figures. Mahler's unfinished Symphony No. 10 (as marvelously performed by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra) provides a gorgeous, emotional backdrop to breathtaking cinematography.Mahler on the Couch is a refreshing film illustrating the beauty of music, love, betrayal, and the search for truth.