“The Last Berliner” is such a brilliant breath of air, a seemingly uncomplicated siege thriller that offers layers of plot and characterization, a dazzling display. Sebastian Achilles is brilliant as Tobias, an electrician coping with his father, about to be evicted because of slumlord reclamation and redevelopment. What begins as a classic thriller buildup deepens immeasurably with the injection into the siege scene of a policewoman and a sleazy developer (great acting performances here), and the buildup of negotiations is wonderfully conveyed. And then a bravura climactic scene blows the viewer away! Unpretentious, but very intelligent, The Last Berliner is a minor triumph that deserves wider recognition.
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