"Viktor Vogel - Commercial Man" is a German film from 2001, so this had its 15th anniversary last year. It is the first theatrical release by writer and director Lars Kraume and the Italian/German filmmaker was still in his 20s when this came out. Having seen some of his more recent stuff, there is no denying that he clearly stepped up his game since then as his Fritz Bauer film was top-notch for example. This one here not so much. In these 105 minutes, we follow the life of a young man and how he breaks through on the professional level in the world of advertising, but at the same time deteriorates in terms of his likability and drifts away from his friends and the girl he loves. This case of morally questionable behavior through success in business is one you could witness in many many films already and I think most of the time it was better than here. This may also have to do with the fact that I didn't like lead actor Scheer a whole lot, but maybe it wasn't him, but the way the character was written. The supporting cast doesn't add much more either. Chulpan Khamatova's felt a bit odd and the fact that Schrader wasn't as bad as usual doesn't mean she was good.Apart from that, the story was also way too fast. It could have worked as a mini-series perhaps. But not as one film. The way the romance and friendship struggles were rushed in did not feel too great. And honestly the entire character transformation of Viktor did not feel authentic and same can be said about the career path rising quickly and then falling as quickly towards the end. It was all just too much for one film and honestly it also takes considerably away from how seriously you can take this film. In my opinion, it is more on the drama than on the comedy side. There were many scenes that sucked, but lets just mention one, namely when he presents his hunter supermarket idea for the first time and Schrader's character and the others immediately stand up, so we think she must have really hated it, but in fact she loved it. There is a great deal of make-believe in this one sadly. If there is anything this film succeeds at, then it is pointless entertainment, but as a character study or as even a film critical about current society, it is not even close to a success. And with the latter I mean the reference to how everybody in the business world is interchangeable and that it is a cold and ruthless place to exist. It never gets below the surface to that regard and that's a negative deal breakers as succeeding there is one of the major ambitions. To end the review still on a positive note, it can be noted that Götz George once again elevates the material here every time he is on screen and that he gives a bold portrayal that turns a pretty gimmicky character into something truly interesting. You never know with him if he is friend or foe. But George alone is not enough to make up for all the weaknesses here and the overall outcome. I cannot recommend checking it out. Instead I give it a thumbs-down and suggest you watch something else instead.

When I rented this mess, I neglected to notice that it was released worldwide by Columbia Pictures-Sony. As soon as I saw this on the screen, I knew what I was in for: yet another formulaic Hollywood-style 'comedy' (excuse the expression) dressed up in the German language.Advertising Rules (AKA Viktor Vogel) is only occasionally funny, and is full of American references and 'comic situations' (we've seen similar scenes in roughly 500 'comedies,' give or take, churned out by Hollywood in the past 20 years alone). Included in the usual suspect list are some of the same weary visual clichés that are varied in Advertising Rules only slightly (attempt at 'freshness' I guess) -- there's the frantic (and obligatory) out-of-control car crash, a chase in a supermarket (complete with dumbkopf cops), a brawl that ends up in garbage heap, a 'hero' (hapless of course, what else?) who gets smacked in the kisser at least four times, a hero who demonstrates the use of a chainsaw and -- what a shock!! -- sees it go out of control and destroy a table. I could go on and on (vacuous insights into the world of advertising; crusty veteran ad man throws young wannabe on his keister in the opening scenes, ends up being a father figure toward the end; sweet-as-candy, talented Hepburnesque gamin falls for dorky 'hero').You've seen it all before. Here it is again, replete with German voices. The same movie could easily have been made in Hollywood (maybe a remake is already underway -- something with, say, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell or Jack Black as the lead actor and Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow or Katie Holmes as the ever-so-sweet love interest.If you're like me (i.e. long ago fed up with derivative, repetitive, juvenile 12-20 age-group drivel that passes for 'adult' comedy in Hollywood), you'll be more vigilant in selecting films that are released internationally by major American studios. If you don't, what you'll almost inevitably get is yet another Hollywood movie with very 'safe,' by-the-numbers story lines. Exhibit 'A' is this film.

As a girl from a German-Swiss background with absolutely no grasp of the German language, I just happen to ADORE this movie. I saw it on Deustchwella (I believe) a good couple of years ago, but decided to rent it from Blockbuster again. I am so glad I did -- this movie has a message and shows how people can become greedy in an ever-changing, up-to-date advertising world where being cutting edge is "in" and old fashioned is "out."Viktor Vogel is a beautifully complex character that isn't two dimensional; he actually has substance which I find that North American films are lacking in spades. You can relate to him and his quest for the perfect career as a Creative Designer in Brainstorm, and you watch his transition from good guy to executive bad guy -- only which will he choose at the end?Eddie is a great character representing old world traditions and a love for the cutting edge that was "cool" way back when. Longing for that spark to come back into advertising, he loathes Viktor's laid back approach as any elder employee who was a big shot would to a threatening younger employee.However, this movie just plain ROCKS. I love the way that the director Kraume goes from tripod to hand-held is reminiscent of Tarantino and Cuaron's styles. Overall, a 5/5 stars, even with English subtitles. After all, where else am I to learn my German better than in movies?

If you're in advertising (like I am), or are about to get into advertising you should check out this movie. If you're not interested in it then don't bother. There are so few movies around that get into the business of advertising. From the pitch to idea development to a campaign rollout, it's kinda cool to see it in the movies...and in a mostly hip and humorous way. As one of the other reviewers said, it's not REALLY all that funny...but it made me chuckle.