Previously, 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 and also directed some himself. In my opinion, the funniest one so far is RubbeldieKatz (international title: Woman in Love). In this hilarious, Berlin-based mix-up, Matthias plays a struggeling actor who dresses up as a woman to get a part in a Hollywood movie. Too bad though that he falls head over heels in love with the lead acctress…
The Story of Woman in Love
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 set in the Nazi era, 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 "Woman in Love" 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 ends up in bed.
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…
Alex and Sarah hooking up. Photo Source: Rubbeldiekatz Facebook Page © Universal Pictures
The Woman in Love Film Locations
Aside from Berlin, where the film is set, Woman in Love was shot in Hamburg as well as the German seaside town of Sankt Peter-Ording, and Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam.
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.
Party at Hamburg's "Reeperbahn". Photo Source: Rubbeldiekatz Facebook Page © Universal Pictures
Scene from "Woman in Love". 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
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