Every once in a while I Google the best foreign films on Netflix (I know--I should just ask here). Recently I did this and I chose the subject film. The article I found did not mention that this film won the Oscar for best foreign film. After watching, I'm not surprised. The Netflix description is: "As a secret police agent eavesdrops on a successful writer in East Germany in 1984, he becomes increasingly fascinated by the man's life and politics." I take issue with the word 'fascinated.' It doesn't do this film justice. If I were to summarize this movie in one word, mine is 'empathy.'

I've gotten to a point in my life where I just want happy endings in movies. It's a shame to think I could miss (have missed) great movies because of this desire. I'll only say that the ending of this movie is perfect.

It's a great movie. Deserves wider viewing.