Advertising Rules! (2001)

"Viktor Vogel - Commercial Man" is a German film from 2001, so this had its 15th anniversary last year. It is the first theatrical release by writer and director Lars Kraume and the Italian/German filmmaker was still in his 20s when this came out. Having seen some of his more recent stuff, there is no denying that he clearly stepped up his game since then as his Fritz Bauer film was top-notch for example. This one here not so much. In these 105 minutes, we follow the life of a young man and how he breaks through on the professional level in the world of advertising, but at the same time deteriorates in terms of his likability and drifts away from his friends and the girl he loves. This case of morally questionable behavior through success in business is one you could witness in many many films already and I think most of the time it was better than here. This may also have to do with the fact that I didn't like lead actor Scheer a whole lot, but maybe it wasn't him, but the way the character was written. The supporting cast doesn't add much more either. Chulpan Khamatova's felt a bit odd and the fact that Schrader wasn't as bad as usual doesn't mean she was good.Apart from that, the story was also way too fast. It could have worked as a mini-series perhaps. But not as one film. The way the romance and friendship struggles were rushed in did not feel too great. And honestly the entire character transformation of Viktor did not feel authentic and same can be said about the career path rising quickly and then falling as quickly towards the end. It was all just too much for one film and honestly it also takes considerably away from how seriously you can take this film. In my opinion, it is more on the drama than on the comedy side. There were many scenes that sucked, but lets just mention one, namely when he presents his hunter supermarket idea for the first time and Schrader's character and the others immediately stand up, so we think she must have really hated it, but in fact she loved it. There is a great deal of make-believe in this one sadly. If there is anything this film succeeds at, then it is pointless entertainment, but as a character study or as even a film critical about current society, it is not even close to a success. And with the latter I mean the reference to how everybody in the business world is interchangeable and that it is a cold and ruthless place to exist. It never gets below the surface to that regard and that's a negative deal breakers as succeeding there is one of the major ambitions. To end the review still on a positive note, it can be noted that Götz George once again elevates the material here every time he is on screen and that he gives a bold portrayal that turns a pretty gimmicky character into something truly interesting. You never know with him if he is friend or foe. But George alone is not enough to make up for all the weaknesses here and the overall outcome. I cannot recommend checking it out. Instead I give it a thumbs-down and suggest you watch something else instead.

This is a very insightful film. The lead actor, Alexander Scheer, is the ultimate casting choice. He portrays physically a geek like nobody else. The film itself examines the rapid accent into popularity and money, the selling of original values and building a fake existence.It is humorous and follows a realistic ideology. The two scenes that form the core of the film is the guerrilla filming in the super market (with the subtext of war journalism) and the subsequent weekend, which forms a nostalgic look on youth with an older character (as opposed to an observing role.)Götz George provides the excellent effigy of lost but regained youth and principle. Chulpan Khamatova is perfect as the perky pseudo-rebellious artist with rich and disapproving parents.A film worthwhile seeing more than once, first to enjoy and then to analyze.

"Viktor Vogel" is an excellent (German) movie about the (often shady) world of advertising. Very up to the point, very ironic, sarcastic, but realistic. The film is full of humor both British and German style. And the actress is very beautiful!!!! In short,it is the story of a young and talented art director (Viktor Vogel) who wants to work in an advertising agency, but the managers don't pay attention to him. However the lady who represents an automotive company who is the client of the advertising company, likes the style and ideas of Viktor and Viktor finds also precious inspiration in the young and beautiful artist Rosa Braun, who will help him find secure a bright future thanks to her ideas. In fact, Viktor and Rosa are totally complementary, idealistic and talented persons in a competitive world. Nice love story and nice story about the world of advertising.

I've longed for a refreshing view of an advertising film, as they are always portrayed perversely, portraying the advertising firm as evil, comedic, half-rate, not serious as a business, etc.Truth is, Advertising Rules! was a graceful view of life in the advertising biz. It showed a young man, Viktor Vogel, sneak his way into a huge firm and steal away the client's hearts using brilliant ideas, all the while stealing away the heart of a young girl.It is just great.