Most recently, I wrote about Germany’s first original Amazon series You Are Wanted, in which Matthias Schweighöfer lives through everyone’s worst nightmare – getting hacked… Prior to this, Matthias has starred in a string of great German comedies, including RubbeldieKatz (international title: Woman in Love). This hilarious mix-up, in which Matthias dresses up as a woman, is one of my all-time favourites when it comes to funny movies from Germany …

The Story

Alexander Honk (Matthias Schweighöfer) is a moderately successful stage actor who survives on small gigs at the theatre. When a Hollywood director is in town to shoot a new feature film about the Nazi time, Alex gets offered the role of his life. The role is female, but that’s no problem for Alex' Berlin flatshare buddies: They just dress him up and make him into beautiful Alexandra!

Alex (Matthias Schweighöfer) and his Berlin flatshare buddies (including "RubbeldieKatz" director Detlev Buck, 3rd from left). Photo: Rubbeldiekatz Facebook Page © Universal Pictures

A day before filming starts, Alex gets to know his future co-star and much more famous actress Sarah (Alexandra Maria Lara), with whom he spends the night.

When Sarah sees Alex the next day on set, she doesn't recognize him anymore as he's now dressed as a woman. Instead, she sets her eye on another actor, which of course makes Alex jealous. A wonderfully hilarious dating chaos starts to unravel…

Photo Source: Rubbeldiekatz Facebook Page © Universal Pictures

The Location

RubbeldieKatz was shot in Hamburg, the German seaside town of Sankt Peter-Ording, and Studio Babelsberg just outside of Berlin.

Sarah and Alex first meet in a park covered in snow. This park is supposed to be in Berlin, but it was actually the Jenisch-Haus – a grand 19th century mansion in Hamburg. The house and its surrounding park were used as the location for the fictitious Berlin luxury hotel that Sarah stays in.

The Jenisch Haus in Hamburg. Photo Source: Wikipedia Commons / © Franz Gustav Forstmann

The hen-do of Sarah's sister, to which Sarah invites Alexandra as her “plus one”, was shot in Hamburg's famous red light district – the Reeperbahn in St. Pauli. Usually a crowded place, the party mile was partially shut off for the film crew during the night of filming.

Photo Source: Rubbeldiekatz Facebook Page © Universal Pictures

Photo Source: Rubbeldiekatz Facebook Page © Universal Pictures

The Final Verdict:

Not only is Matthias Schweighöfer incredible at being "Pretty Woman", the film also depicts a moral message similar to that of the famous Julia Roberts film: In the end, love and true friendship are worth so much more than money and fame!

***** 5 out of 5 stars