Chinese Boxes (1984)
An American in West Berlin finds himself caught up in murder and intrigue after his associate is killed and a diplomat's daughter is found dead in his room.
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Well Deserved Praise
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
An American (Will Patton) in West Berlin finds himself caught up in murder and intrigue after his associate is killed and a diplomat's daughter is found dead in his room.If you did not know, Chinese boxes are a set of boxes of graduated size, each fitting inside the next larger box. You know, kind of like those Russian dolls. Does this accurately describe this film? Well, sort of.There is definitely a mystery, and it is certainly complex. You will wonder why customs agents are acting like the CIA, and the idea that Berlin is a "black hole" where everything can get in and nothing can get out. The very concept is interesting, especially given that Berlin at the time was the dead center of where East meets West...
I watched this fairly carefully the first time through, and I must admit, I had a devil of a time tryig to figure out what it was about! The excellent photo-play and first class music score kept my interest, as well as the interesting and excellent cast. The camera shots are very well done and use very interesting subject matter. The music is unique and very well thought out. Lots of ambience in this one. Maybe not the greatest budget- but since when did a large budget guarantee a good movie? this is a cult movie to be sure, and will take numerous viewing for the gist of the plot to really show itself, as there is no telegraphing of any pertinent info about the plot...you must deduce a lot about what is going on...making it intellectually stimulating.Beate Jensen (plays Donna) is particularly interesting and a very fine actress. All in all I would recommend this as a more cerebral film of intrigue and mystery. See what you think! If you can find it that is!
I don´t know..... This movie doesn´t seem to have much money involved in it. You can tell that by the obvious recorded voices and the cheap sound effects, not to mention that awkward illumination. But anyway, the plot has nothing else to offer and nobody seems to know about this movie!!!! Well, perhaps the acting could save this movie, perhaps not. Watch it at your own decision.