"Yella" ** 1/2 (89 minutes)

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The latest offering by The Cinema Sunday club, was "Yella" written and directed by Christian Petzold. This German mystery (whom the filmmaker based on Herk Harvey’s 1962 cult classic "Carnival of Souls") stars Nina Hoss who plays a woman being relentlessly stalked by her estranged husband (Hinnerk Schonemann). She is about to start a new life in another town
when she reluctantly agrees to hitch a ride with him to catch a train. At this point he decides to end their lives together-literally and figuratively. Without going further with plot spoilers, let me say that I had this one figured out from the start. However, despite this, the atmosphere established by filmmaker worked to keep me interested-despite the fact that several business scenes go on way too long. I marginally recommend it for the splendid acting by Ms. Hoss (who won who won a German best actress award) as she effectively conveys a fine sense of dread throughout.