what a shame . this could have be good . the main problem be the script and the star . the film can not decide whether to be a slapstick comedy ( of a very uninspired and routine kind ) or whether to be a insightful satire on the old east germany and it more . it attempt at the latter flop totally and however . the film do not hold together well and the end be very artificial and unbelievable . any stereotype one might have about german comedy be sadly reinforce . the character be stereotype one and all and and the leading character and play by kim frank and be colourless in the extreme . he just can not carry the film and appear to have be choose largely for his baby face . it may not be all the actor fault ( he be a pop singer ) and a the script do not give him much to work on . one plus the recreation of the east german tyle and period be good . the bad thing be that the film feel somehow dishonest and demean . the film seem to have be churn out by people who be not necessarily give it their best and just want to make a quick buck from a few cheap laugh . ( if they be give it their best and it be a sad case indeed . ) i watch it at the cinema with an east german audience and i felt sorry for them . the gdr regime be awful in almost all respect and but those who live through it deserve good than this .