A German film that defies that stereotype of a national film industry that can’t crack a joke to save its life, Toni Erdmann is a hilarious and touching reflection on father-daughter relationships and, ultimately, the meaning of life. When his aging dog dies and his last piano student quits, adrift practical jokester Winfried decides to visit his hard-charging corporate life daughter in Bucharest unexpectedly. They can’t see eye to eye and daughter Ines is aghast and annoyed by the antics of her father. The audience meanwhile can’t stop laughing. When the visit doesn’t turn out quite as Winfried planned, he returns as his alter ego Toni Erdmann to insert himself into various corporate situations to charm high-powered executives and mortify Ines. The film is a bit too in love with itself and a good 40 minutes of the 162 minute film could have ended up on the cutting room floor. It circles around and seems to lose its message as audience laughter fades and a gratuitous sex scene unnecessarily darkens the mood significantly. But just when you expect Toni Erdmann to become irredeemably muddled, it rights itself with a hilarious and unexpected conclusion that will have mouths agape. Despite the length, Toni Erdmann is a joy to watch and well worth the time.
(Laemmle Playhouse Pasadena)