Eight Miles High (2008)

Purely Joyful Movie!

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Full of noise with very little substance. On the background: with so much exciting material in the 60s and 70s this film only takes a meagre glimpse of the politics, history, youth, music, and media. On the foreground: our protagonist has no purposes or goals or beliefs beyond open sexual relationships (when they suit her, one might add). It also leaves no room for the supporting characters as they shy away next to the heroine's frequent and stunning nakedness. Where the film fails miserably is that pieces of Uschi's memories do not invite audiences to be emotionally involved. They were mere events, things she had done, most of the time simply for spontaneous fun. There are a few failed attempts to portray her wildness, but they instead display her stupidity (e.g., she insists on smuggling drugs yet it's her partner who meets and wins the confrontation). By the end of the film - of moving from one group to another, mingling with the "high society" of the rock 'n' roll, travelling in a caravan around half of the world, having a prince- like wedding in India, pregnancy, etc. - both the heroine and the audience are still none the wiser. The odd narratives only provides abrupt and surprising statements like when she muses about "the two men I loved most". Huh? Which two? Since when???Her happiness is built on drugs and sexual pleasure. Her tears are shallow and unmoving. There seems to be no connection between her and any other characters except for the one she's currently sleeping with. (I don't even know what her best friend looks like as she speaks hardly 3 words.) Even then the connection is vague and confusing. Undeniably other characters display stronger personality at times, but it's largely undermined by their inconsistent and implausible behaviour.The light is on but nobody's home - very much like our main character; perhaps in that sense this film isn't a total failure after all: it mirrors the character in itself.

This isn't a masterpiece of cinema but it's not rubbish. Eight Miles High focuses on the German model Uschi Obermaier and her progression from a small town teenager to a world traveling model/activist/groupie. I had never heard of Uschi Obermaier before and this film not only introduced her to me but peaked my curiosity about her. Like her character narrated in the film, she was an "egotistical monster" but her story is something so unimaginable, so fascinating that you can't believe it. Unlike the other reviewer, I feel that Uschi accomplished much not out of her simple beginnings. Granted modeling doesn't save lives but she was fearless and lived a life that few of us would ever dare. The acting in this film was not trite or clichéd and, in fact, I found the actors who played Uschi, Keith Richards, and Bockhorm endearing and engaging. If you like movies about strong, independent women this is something to watch! Uschi Obermaier's life reads more like a fiction novel than a nonfiction title. The only qualm I had with the movie is it ended too short.

A wonderful rendering of the 60s. If you grew up like me with the 1968 revolution as a mythical era, this film will make you jubilate. Sex, drugs, rock and roll, radical thinking, revolutionaries, and the research of freedom, pleasure and new horizons. Freeing of the mind, freeing of the body… In her small town in Bavaria, Obermaier feels the revolution pounding in her bones and can't stay in place in her confined, old-fashioned home. Listening to rock music is her escape but it simply is not enough. She takes off and lives in an activist commune for some time before becoming a lover of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and marrying a rich adventurer and traveling the world with him. A lively portrait of strong-willed Obermaier, her rebelliousness and search for unbound freedom. "Don't dream your life, live your dream" is a motto that appears in the film and could not apply better. Uschi appears unstoppable, ready to conquer the world, explore the confines of freedom. Inspiring.

Well, I always thought that Germany can't do great movies, but now I know it can! I was surprised that it was so unbelievable good! The story of Uschi Obermaier was filmed excellent. The movie shows the audience the height and depths of Obermaier's life. And to be true, I love Natalia Avelon. She looks like Uschi Obermaier and I think that she is the perfect actress for that role. Her hair style is almost the same (in the movie). I had watched the movie with a friend and she thought it is too sexual she didn't like it, but I did! OK, it would be better if Keith Richards would be played by a English actor but it is okay. I think it is also good that there are parts which are just spoken in English. I love English so I really enjoyed it. The film locations are perfect. I am overwhelmed by that bus in which they drive through the world in six years. Now the acting: Brilliant! Natalia is sexy, what she has to be in that kind of movie. She acts so amazing. She can play funny scenes but also serious ones. Especially in the scene where she looses her baby or where her husband dies she shows us that she can also play sad movies. The music is excellent. I love that song "Summer Wine". Natalia Avelon sings that song herself! Well, I can only say that everybody who likes hot women and excellent movies should go in it.10 of 10 stars!