Watch Four Minutes

Four Minutes is a 2006 German drama film directed by Chris Kraus. It stars Hannah Herzsprung, Monica Bleibtreu, Vadim Glowna, and Sven Pippig. The movie explores themes of redemption, trauma, and the human condition through the lens of two characters: a young woman named Jenny, who is serving time in prison for homicide, and her elderly piano teacher, Traude.

The film begins with a montage of Jenny's life leading up to her incarceration. We see her abuse at the hands of her father, her teenage rebellion, and her eventual descent into a life of drugs and violence. When she is sent to prison for killing her abusive father, she is assigned to Traude, an elderly woman who teaches piano to the inmates.

At first, Jenny resists Traude's attempts to teach her, but ultimately she begins to open up to the older woman, revealing her talents and her troubled past. As Jenny prepares to perform at a national piano competition, the two women form a deep bond that transcends their roles as prisoner and teacher.

Throughout the film, we see glimpses of Jenny's past, including the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and her struggle with addiction. These flashbacks add depth to the character and help us understand the trauma that led her down a destructive path.

As the competition approaches, tensions between Jenny and Traude's son, a former music prodigy who is bitter about his mother's declining health, reach a boiling point. The film builds towards a climactic performance by Jenny, which serves as a metaphor for her redemption and her journey towards self-acceptance.

What sets Four Minutes apart from other prison dramas is its focus on the transformative power of music. Through Traude's teachings, Jenny discovers her true talent and experiences a sense of purpose and fulfillment. The film also explores the relationship between teacher and student, and the ways in which mentorship can help individuals transcend their circumstances.

The performances in the film are outstanding, particularly from Hannah Herzsprung as Jenny and Monica Bleibtreu as Traude. Herzsprung imbues Jenny with a raw energy and vulnerability that makes her a compelling protagonist, while Bleibtreu brings nuance and depth to Traude's character.

In addition to its strong performances, Four Minutes is visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography that captures the beauty of the prison and the complexities of the characters' emotions. The film's score, which consists primarily of classical piano compositions, adds to its emotional resonance and underscores the transformative power of music.

Overall, Four Minutes is a powerful and poignant drama that explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the human spirit. With exceptional performances and beautiful visuals, it is a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas and prison films.