Life is stuffed with surprises — some good, some unhealthy. In director Laura Lehmus’ Candy Catastrophe, an opportunity encounter, a dreamlike romance, a sudden break-up, and an surprising being pregnant complicate the lifetime of the vivacious protagonist. All these components end in uniquely humorous, alarming, and heartwarming conditions that interlace to offer a compelling character arc.
Candy Catastrophe opens with 40-year-old Frida (Friederike Kempter) assembly good-looking pilot Felix (Florian Lukas). He has simply concluded his shift and is now consuming his emotions away at an airport bar. Frida begins a dialog to be taught extra about his state of affairs, and Felix reveals that he not too long ago (and reluctantly) bought out of an eight-year relationship with a girl named Natalie (Diana Ebert). Amid mourning, Frida and Felix hit it off, and a dreamy, fleeting love montage ensues.
A number of months later, Frida unexpectedly will get pregnant. Whereas nervous about this unexpected growth, she is in the end excited to be a mom and is hoping Felix will probably be too. Whereas Felix stated he’d be there for his child, he’s leaving Frida to reignite his relationship with Natalie. Not discouraged by this second unexpected growth, Frida considers the thrill of getting a toddler whereas not deeply contemplating the obstacles.
“…Felix stated he’d be there for his child, he’s leaving Frida to reignite his relationship with Natalie.”
As Frida tries to win Felix again, she continues to work as a daycare employee and forges a friendship together with her neighbor Yolanda (Lena Urzendowsky), a precocious teenager who has a knack for creating uncommon innovations. The first perform of Frida’s friendship with Yolanda is to depict that Frida’s able to being a mom. Whereas Candy Catastrophe makes the intentions and progressions of this relationship far too apparent, Kempter and Urzendowsky have nice chemistry.
Frida and Felix’s difficult dynamic does result in dramatic confrontations, however there may be by no means any exorbitant disgrace positioned on any of the characters, which is refreshing. Even when life will get her down, Frida maintains an optimistic perspective, and her unbridled creativeness permits her to flee from her dour circumstances, even when just for a second. Since Frida is written as this typically constructive and assured individual, Lehmus performs with luminous colours, whimsical sequences, and exaggerated humor to fluidly conflict with the predicaments Frida finds herself in. And since Friederike Kempter offers a outstanding lead efficiency, expertly speaking all character attributes and anxieties with refinement, the film all the time capabilities easily.
Candy Catastrophe is definitely candy, however it’s no catastrophe. This delightfully quirky and endearing movie understands the challenges of relationships, parenthood, and being pregnant. Screenwriter Ruth Toma provides each character with character and the flexibility to alter naturally. They’re put in situations that enable them to be weak however not be judged. This renders it simpler for audiences to really feel for Frida, at the same time as she recklessly makes an attempt to insert herself again into Felix’s life.
Everybody deserves happiness, and whereas attaining it could be tough, Lehmus creates a story of perseverance that’s tonally offbeat however genuine. By way of a tasty combination of tones, colours, and animated performances, Candy Catastrophe is an absolute delight that may resonate with anybody going through the burden of loneliness.
