Grabbing the attention of exhausted film critics can be a challenge, particularly when your movie nears the three-hour mark, but director Maren Ade faced no such problems at Cannes earlier this year with “Toni Erdmann.” A true sensation on the Croisette, the film bagged the FIPRESCI prize and now has serious Oscar buzz as Germany’s official selection, with awards season veterans Sony Pictures Classics behind the movie. And the trailer certainly makes it clear that “Toni Erdmann” has not been lacking in critical praise (read our review).
Starring Peter Simonischek, Sandra Hüller, Michael Wittenborn, Thomas Loibl, Thrystan Pütter, Hadewych Minis, Lucy Russell, Ingrid Bisu, Vlad Ivanov, and Victoria Cocias, the story follows a prank-loving father who journeys to Bucharest to be nearer to his career-driven daughter, but that description really doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this truly unique film. Here’s the official synopsis:
Winfried doesn’t see much of his working daughter Ines. The suddenly student-less music teacher decides to surprise her with a visit after the death of his old dog. It’s an awkward move because serious career woman Ines is working on an important project as a corporate strategist in Bucharest. The geographical change doesn’t help the two to see more eye to eye. Practical joker Winfried loves to annoy his daughter with corny pranks. What’s worse are his little jabs at her routine lifestyle of long meetings, hotel bars and performance reports. Father and daughter reach an impasse, and Winfried agrees to return home to Germany.
Enter flashy Toni Erdmann: Winfried’s smooth-talking alter ego. Disguised in a tacky suit, weird wig and even weirder fake teeth, Toni barges into Ines’ professional life, claiming to be her CEO’s life coach. As Toni, Winfried is bolder and doesn’t hold back, but Ines meets the challenge. The harder they push, the closer they become. In all the madness, Ines begins to understand that her eccentric father might deserve some place in her life after all..
“Toni Erdmann” opens on Christmas Day. Watch the trailer at Vanity Fair — we’ll add an embed when it becomes available.