Harmonists, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

The Comedian Harmonists were one of Europes most popular acts in the 1920s and 30s. This German film with English subtitles tells their true story, from their humble beginnings to living the good life of fame and fortune. The group gets its start when Harry Frommermann (Ulrich Noethen) puts out an add for singers and ends up choosing five men. After long months of practice, the group finally feels ready to perform, and in no time, they are a hit. But, it is a time of change in Germany and the government begins to persecute Jews. This affects the Comedian Harmonists deeply; three of their six members are Jewish. They must decide how they will respond to persecution. THE HARMONISTS is an enjoyable film, and the music, dubbed from the original recordings of the group, is tremendous.

The question of whether to choose the group over individuals comes up often in the movie. The Jewish members of the group are inclined to hang around in Germany, but as the persecution gets worse, they obviously want to leave. Each member of the group has to make a decision on what to do. Their struggle is well presented. There are also some violent scenes of people getting in fights, but none of this is exploitive in any way. A few scenes take place in a brothel where the group often sings in its early days and some female nudity is present. The men are also customers of the brothel, implying that they have sex with the prostitutes who worked there but no scenes are shown. Some questionable language also occurs in the film, with 3 moderate crudities and 5 profanities. Sadly, the nudity and profanities tarnish what would have otherwise been an acceptable family film.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich, NY, NY 10013