Four Minutes (Vier Minuten)

"There’s a bizarre morality at work in Four Minutes: the film at once idolizes the notion of ‘natural talent’, and compartmentalizes it away from the rest of its troubled characters’ defining attributes."

"The milieu is predictably drab, but the relationship between the two women is as poignant as the Schubert impromptu to which it unfolds."

"bitter female piano teacher takes on the challenge of training a gifted but self-destructive femme prisoner in German meller "Four Minutes." Plot might sound superficially like a castoff storyline from Oz soap "Prisoner: Cell Block H" crossed with "Shine," but by dint of strong performancess (especially from relative newcomer Hannah Herzsprung) and powerful use of music, the pic works in spite of itself."

"A screenplay rich with layers and tangible characters, a unique scenario, powerful performances and gripping direction all combine to make Four Minutes an outstanding drama - despite its confronting nature, largely unsympathetic characters and sombre mood."

"Confused and disappointing."

"Director Kraus, who also wrote, concocts an ending which threatens to tip over into schmaltz but has a surprise up its sleeve. Whatever else the film might be accused of, you can't call it sentimental. Impressive."

"Essentially a two-hander, Four Minutes benefits from a pair of outstanding performances. Winning the role ahead of 1200 other actresses, Herzsprung is the most exciting young Teutonic actress since Run Lola Run's Frank Potente. The real star, however, is 62-year-old Bleibtreu (mother of German superstar Moritz) who metamorphises into an 80-year-old masculine yet placid Prussian piano teacher, who has devoted her life to beauty alone, with extremely impressive effect."

"Four Minutes makes pains to add backstory to its characters, but is prone to open up questions that are then left unanswered. It also treads a fine line between dark humour and pure gloom, which can make it drag. But embellishments come in the form of rich cinematography and strong performances from the film's leading ladies, especially Herzsprung, who is capable of turning from wild-eyed savage to conservatoire standard artist in a beat."