Customer Reviews
".....And your Papa is WHO?!?!!!" - By: JUST A REVIEWER2, 10 Sep 2008 
(Alternate title for this review: "Thank god for espresso machines that make you take your clothes off.")---(Wait; how about one more alternate: "And when you pick up a guy, how do YOU get the conversation started? Why, ask him his astrological sign, of course. Works every time---don't believe me; just check with Steven & Karsten!).
((Here is my approach to obtaining/viewing/reviewing Gay talesin film form. Simply, it's seeking the holy grail of that genre, or looking for the "Addictive Film"---that movie one returns to time & again). Selection/purchase is based mainly on finding new releases by favorite directors/screenwriters & your comments/reviews at various on-line sites. Sometimes I feel correctly steered by you (the "Keepers" filling my DVD shelves), other times mislead, occasionally badly (the "Throwaways"----and I do toss 'em). Rarely, I come across the "Addictive," those watchable every couple of months or so (see below starred *** area for a list......and some of the "near-Addictive" as well). For some movies, I'll share a review with you, as follows. Thanks for sticking with me so far.))
Not to be outdonein the year, 2007, of some quite good gay films (the Yank's "Shelter [2007]" & the Brit's "Oh Happy Day [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)"), now comes along Germany's funnily enjoyable "Fashion Victims." Featuring the Germanic version of Trevor Wright (a wonderfully ingratiating Florian Bartholomai as the late-teens to 20 year old, virginal Karsten) & a Teutonic Brad Rowe (a fun loving, but caring, Roman Knizka as the gay-experienced, 30-something Steven), here's a marvelous little movie I truly believe you're gonna love. Why? Because I so think you're going to like this guy, Steven, with his light-hearted & devilish approach to life.......and to getting our oh-so-innocent Karsten into bed for his very first time. And I just know you're going to fallin love with relative newcomer Bartholomaiin the role of the doesn't-know-what-to-do, young innocentin need of a "guiding hand" (no, no.....not a hand for "that" purpose; well, maybe there WILL come a time for that). Karsten is played as just about the most lovable gay youth you're going to come across---he's so sweetly shy it almost pours off the screen. (I'll bet you thought "Shelter's" Zach was that person; I do have to admit: it's a hard call). And as for the fun to be with Steven, let's just say that he's more than eager to give our little Karsten the guidance he'sin need of. And if you closely watch, you will see that "K's" presence always seems to put a grin on the devilish Steven's face. Gotta say that "S" does have great eyes---just watch them closely anytime he's with Karsten......they practically devour the kid throughout the film.
If there's any bad news for those of you looking ONLY for gay romance, it's that you'll have to wade through a lot of "family stuff" first. In this regard, Karsten's parents can't be left out of consideration here; actually much of this movie involves them. In fact, it's not really a "gay film," per se; it's more of a "family affair kind of thing".......with Papa being front & center for most of the film, & Mama having her little bits from time to time. Papa Wolfgang pretty much comes across as a know-it-all S.O.B., which throughout the film poses a big question for us: Is he going to wind up being redeemablein our eyes (and Karsten's......and Mama's)? As for Mama Erika (who knows more than a certain someone thinks she does), she's our sweet boy's loving & supportive fallback person.......and, most wonderfully, she takes no crap from anyone. What we really have with these two older characters, then, are parents playing out their own little war......a "War of the Roses" if you will (most of you are probably way too young to remember this 1989 Michael Douglas romp).
Speaking of "war," perhaps this is the best point to mention that "Fashion Wars" might have been a far better title for this film, inasmuch as it certainly does have its share of skirmishes (well, admittedly, its share of "victims," too). Of course, who knows how "twisted" words become when translating German to English for subtitling purposes (in that regard, I can say there were certainly some noticeable "rough spots"in this film).
Just a few wrap-up thoughts for you here:
- Maybe it's just me & my not getting the whole lesbian scene thing, but more & more as the film progressed I was getting the impression that Mama's "helpful" friend, Brigitta (a brashly funny Traute Hoess), was wanting to be a lot more than "just a friend"---if you get my drift (tell mein the "Comments" section, below, if you disagree).
- When the film's long-a-coming "showdown" finally does arrive, it's pretty much a doozie. Yes, indeed, you are going to love this film's final "action" scene (NO, not "that" kind of action---keep a clean mind why dont'cha). All I'll say is that it involves a vehicle......and a shotgun......and some sidesplitting moments.
- The film-end denouement between father & son is near pitchperfect. It is a memorably happy moment, even topping Mama's wonderful final scene with "K" ("I know---I understand---I accept"). What more could any gay boy ask for?
- And, other than the preceding, all I have to say is: I am so mad at you, Mr. Director! Why? Well, it seems to me that a little see-you-later kiss through a vehicle window, at film's end, would certainly have been a great way to wind things up (must I do all the thinking for you guys?). Anyway, though, thanks for an otherwise wonderful little ending scene; your gay audiences will always appreciate being left with a feeling of hope.
PS--Oh yes, oh yes........you're gonna have fun with this one.
***Other films which are habit formers: "Just a Question of Love [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)" / "Brokeback Mountain" / "Boy Culture [2006]" / "All Over the Guy [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)" / "Second Skin [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)" / "The Man I Love [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)" / "The Man of My Life [2006] (REGION 1) (NTSC)" (maybe for older/gay thinking men viewers).
****
Light and quirky entertainment - By: D. Elliot, 31 Aug 2008 
'Fashion Victims' (German, with English subtitles) sets out to be a comedy of manners - albeit underscored by vague parallels with Miller's classic play, 'Death of a Salesman'.
Wolfgang is an ageing sales rep for a clothing company, chauvinistic, domineering, leery of the 'new fashions' & cheap fabrics. Having lost his driving license for speeding, he physically prevents his (handsome) late-teens son - Karsten - from going on a planned trip abroad & demands that Karsten act as his chauffeur.
Meanwhile, a new, younger, sales rep arrives on the scene, determined to drive Wolfgang out of the local clothing market. His fresh, slick approach & high-style, low-quality, fabrics seem to be successful - & Wolfgang is slowly going bankrupt. Add to this mix his marital problems with his wife, his awkward relationship with his closeted son Karsten, together with the mutual attraction between Karsten & Wolfgang's younger business rival, & there is significant potential for combustion.
'Fashion Victims' works well on some levels - it is light-hearted entertainment (not hilarious by any means, but certainly raises chuckles now & then) & the myriad relationships between each of the characters provide their own quirky sub-plots. Inevitably, considerable suspension of disbelief is required (why would Karsten put up with his father's treatment of him?) & it's all fairly predictablein the romantic-comedy sense. Nevertheless, the acting is of decent quality (especially the minor characters - such as Wolfgang's wife, & her larger-than-life, bumptious-Bavarian friend, Brigitta) & if you are simply looking for light, unchallenging entertainment, with a small dose of sentimentality, 'Fashion Victims' will undoubtedly satisfy.
Glad Rag Time - By: Antyllus, 26 Aug 2008 
"Fashion Victims" is one hilarious German comedy. The script actually deals about the prevalence of tastes (the original title is "Reine Geschmacksache" broadly translated as 'clearly a matter of taste/preference), & as the Romans already said: you cannot argue over matters of preference.
The script beautifully & seemlessly works out all the undertows & secrets which burst suddenly into the open with hilarious outcomes & then ebb away as easily as they surfaced, with consequences.
It tells the story of "old-school" sales agent Wolfgang Zenker who sells clothes to boutiques catering for women aged 35 & above (best-agers). As he has lost his driving licence he commandeers his son, Karsten, to drive him around with a brand new Mercedes S-class, filled with next year's (dowdy) fashions, just as he was on the way to Spain with two girls.
Only Wolfgang knows though that he's both bankrupt & under threat - from a younger rival gaining the momentum of success - & he is sexy & good-looking to boot. And, only Karstens knows is that he is desperate to leave home to partyin Spain, & he also has a big secret of his own - which will involve his father's rival & the machinations of Brigitte, mummy's chum & general interfering busybody. Things, poignantly, come to a head.
Hilarious!
Highly recommended are also The Trio [1998], Run Lola Run [1999] & Goodbye Lenin! (2002)
