Tom Tykwer’s latest Berlinale opening film, “Das Licht” (The Light), attempts to tackle complex themes of family dynamics, identity, and social commentary but ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive and engaging narrative. The film follows a disintegrating family in Berlin as they navigate their separate lives and are brought together by the enigmatic new housekeeper Farrah.
Despite Tykwer’s visual flair and atmospheric tension, the script is overstuffed and expository, leading to jumbled tonal shifts that trivialize the film’s more noble themes. The character of Farrah, played by Tala Al-Deen, is a rare highlight, but even she is relegated to playing the “Magical Negro” trope.
The film’s predictability and lack of subtlety are exacerbated by its numerous musical numbers, which feel on-the-nose and insulting to the viewer’s intelligence. The final twist, while perhaps surprising for some viewers, feels like too little, too late, and the film’s failure to commit to its supernatural or horror elements leaves it feeling shallow and unfulfilling.
Overall, “Das Licht” is a disappointing opening to this year’s Berlinale, a film that fails to capitalize on its promising premise and instead succumbs to clichés and overwrought melodrama.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/02/14/goodbye-americano-hello-long-black-the-new-coffee-order-thats-becoming-a-uk-favourite