Andrea Gets a Divorce, directed by Josef Hader, tells an involving, complicated story about a rural community and the people caught within it.
Andrea at a turning point
Birgit Minichmayr plays Andrea, a police officer in Lower Austria whose life reaches a turning point after a dramatic night and an encounter with her husband. The film is both an observation of country life and an incisive portrait of a village society, capturing substantial emotions and the complications of human relationships.
Hader’s laconic humour
Hader also appears as Franz in a story shaped by missed opportunities, unfulfilled dreams and encounters that change lives. His laconic humour and feel for tragicomedy distinguish the film and make its depiction of everyday life convincing.
A layered ensemble
Minichmayr is supported by Thomas Schubert, Robert Stadlober and Branko Samarovski in an impressive ensemble. The characters bring their own depth and complications, giving the story richness and several perspectives.
The Weinviertel setting
Carsten Thiele’s impressive cinematography and the carefully chosen Weinviertel locations complement Hader’s approach. The landscape supports the film’s mood and reflects the characters’ inner lives.
Music and inner life
The use of music adds atmosphere and moments of reflection and escape. Scenes of Andrea alone in her car are especially effective in connecting the music with her thoughts and hopes.
Verdict
Andrea Gets a Divorce offers more than a straightforward account of village life. Its emotional depth, laconic humour and sharply observed people turn it into an involving journey through human relationships. A distinctive film well worth seeing.