jerichow.

i just noticed a listing in the cinemathèque guide for a film i really enjoyed at tiff in september. considering almost everything i saw at the festival this year was lackluster, my liking this one says something on its own.

jerichow is a german film that tells the tale of thomas, a man who is back from the war and trying to get his life together when a chance encounter brings him into the world of ali and his beautiful wife laura. with that, thomas steps into a dangerous love triangle and a future that we can only estimate to be disastrous.

writer/director christian petzold brings a gnawing sense of tension and couples it with the unexpected, as this story of choices unfolds. in so doing, he skillfully plays with the audience's judgments and ideas as to the three strong willed protagonists. while this could be a film that makes you think, you likely will find yourself too invested to do so. and i can promise you'll be that absorbed until the very last second.

• jerichow screens at jackman hall friday february 20th at 7 pm, and sunday february 22nd at 5 pm. tickets are available at the TIFFG box office at 2 carlton st. in toronto, or can be purchased online.