The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979)

Gripping film about the fall and rise of post-WWII Germany as exemplified by the fortunes of the title character. I've heard it bandied about that most of Fassbinder's films are variations on a theme -- strong, cruel people manipulating weaker people for their own gains. If so, then the magic must all be in the details, and this film has 'em by the barrel: Whether it's a spontaneous mad scramble for a tossed-away half-smoked cigarette, or the natural and free intimacy between Maria and her American GI lover, or the Smithers-esque devotion of Senkenberg the accountant, Fassbinder sees all and understands all. I admire him for constructing an epic allegory out of a series of quiet character moments -- that takes some serious thought (not to mention some serious stones). He can't keep the film from going slack after a certain point (the abrupt ending is a bit quizzical), but he's done mostly damn fine work here. If all of his other films are along these lines, I could see myself becoming a fan.

Grade: B+