‘Two To One’ Review – A Semi-Heist Movie That Goes Nowhere

No one had a year like Sandra Hüller in 2023. Starring in two of the most talked-about movies that year, Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest, she took the world by storm, and all eyes were on her, anticipating her next move.

Enter Natja Brunckhorst’s Two to One, a “semi” money heist film that goes neither here nor there, and we get a glimpse of Hüller’s experimental attitude toward her career. This feature is an entirely different breed of filmmaking. Light, sweet, subtle, and funny without being overtly comical, it is not what is to be expected from the 2023 award season queen. But that’s the beauty of her experimental career, going from mega projects to a low-key, socio-political comedy.

All abandoned cities give off the same vibes. People’s faces display the same expressions. Dissatisfaction, nostalgia, discontentment, and bitter acceptance; the art of enjoying the small things in life. It’s Germany during a critical time in its history–a few days before pre-unification, and how that sudden economic, political, and social shift affects ordinary people’s lives. 

Another film that easily comes to mind tackling the same topic is Wolfgang Becker’s Goodbye, Lenin! Another masterpiece about how major political and economic decisions reflect in the daily lives of individuals. These movies about the regular people we pass down the streets and meet every day are much more moving than movies about grandiose, larger-than-life personalities that don’t exist beyond the abysmal worship of modern online cinephilia.

But the Brunckhorst feature vastly differs from Becker’s. It doesn’t take that seriously. It’s low on the artistic side and doesn’t feature a cinematography or a narration style that is an art form in its own right. Why should it? It’s a comedic ensemble that will put a smile on faces, even from generations who have no idea what the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall means on both sides of the conflict, especially the depressed, working-class residents of East Germany. When those depressed residents of a dying economic entity find millions of worthless soon-to-be old money (ostmarks), and to their surprise, they find they can still exchange it for the new currency post-reunification. But at what cost does this seemingly unexpected path to wealth lead them? And how to undergo it under the nose of government officials and security guards?

As for the pros and cons, a movie like that would’ve greatly benefited from a faster pace and a shorter runtime. But at its heart, the performances from the three leads, Hüller, Max Riemelt, and Ronald Zehrfeld -playing her husband and former flame respectively- bring tension to the somehow dull moments. Their awkward love triangle of sorts and their dynamics (owing to the vast difference in the two men’s personalities) revives the narrative and creates an enthusiastic viewing experience for viewers to care enough about the characters. 

However, there are too many details to follow, especially for someone who, like me, is not fully aware of the complex history of communist vs. capitalist Germany. But what makes it a fun watching experience is the vibrancy of the characters, and their growing sense of community and solidarity, but also the subtle hint at the deep-rooted greed in human nature, despite well-meaning political systems and socialist propaganda.

Two to One is not by any means a perfect heist comedy. For good reasoning. It has the perfect blend of simplicity and entertainment, the right film for a chill afternoon of wanting to explore a new film at the local movie theater. With solid performances and an engaging plot, this film is meant to leave moviegoers in an affable mood.

Two To One is currently playing in UK cinemas courtesy of Tull Stories.