So weit kommt's noch! humorously turns the Schmitz family's life upside down when Bärbel, played by Annette Frier, finds a plea for help from Bangladesh inside a shirt.
The appeal for help
Bärbel buys her husband a shirt and discovers a small note. That appeal changes her conventional life in a quiet town. Driven by moral responsibility and the idea that saving one life means saving the whole world, she decides to help the unknown worker in Bangladesh.
Limits of generosity
The film explores exploitation, inequality and the limits of generosity. Bärbel's initial motivation becomes an obsession that affects her family as well as herself. Personal and social responsibility collide, and the question becomes whether she is actually doing the right thing.
Frier, Baum and Speidel
Frier gives Bärbel impressive depth and excellent comic timing. Her transformation from an unassuming housewife into a morally committed campaigner is convincing and nuanced. Henning Baum provides a grounded contrast as her husband Lutz. Their chemistry works well and carries many of the more emotional scenes. Jutta Speidel is another highlight as the quick-witted Lis Polke, supplying some of the funniest moments. Those relationships lend lightness to a serious subject.
Direction and photography
Rupert Henning finds a strong balance between seriousness and humour. Josef Mittendorfer's quiet, unobtrusive photography keeps the focus on the characters and their relationships. Bärbel's orderly world and the unfamiliar circumstances she suddenly allows into it are captured effectively.
Everyday responsibility
Globalisation and social responsibility are handled subtly. The film entertains while encouraging us to consider the consequences of our own spending choices. Bärbel's attempts to help a stranger ask how much responsibility we should accept for other people, with a humorous eye for the everyday difficulties of compassion.
Verdict
So weit kommt's noch! is a successful mix of humour, social criticism and emotion. Frier carries the story with charm and authenticity. It leaves an impression and encourages thought without becoming preachy. Despite its serious concerns, it remains entertaining and warm: a recommended comedy with substance.