Director: Werner Herzog
Was it frequent commenter Ian who said he didn't like Herzog's 'man-in-society' films? I can't remember, but I'm beginning to realize I don't really like them either. Woyzeck is about a low-level soldier who takes the world's abuse.
Woyzeck's problems are two-fold:
A: It was adapted from a play and it shows. Many scenes are staged with little inventiveness, just two characters talking to one another in a sparse room.
B: Woyzeck's 'insanity' is evident from about the 10 minute mark of the film - as a result, there's really no character who we sympathize or empathize with. We don't know that if Woyzeck's plight is a result of his constant mistreatment, mere insanity, or whatever. This is also the problem I had with Stroszek, where Bruno S's elfin nature as the protagonist doesn't really evoke sympathy.
Woyzeck has a few interesting ideas, but ultimately it's too talky and the characters are loosely drawn.
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