"Bandits" is a German 110-minute movie from 1997, so this one has its 20th anniversary this year. Katja von Garnier is the director here and also one of the writers and this is not the only occasion she worked with actress Katja Riemann. But probably the worst, at least I hope so. Yes I just wrote "writers", which means that actually several people worked on this movie and they still did not see all the flaws that are wrong with it. And even if I am generally a bit biased when it comes to Riemann, I still can only shake my head at her winning a German Film Award for this film. The entire plot has nothing to do with realism. This refers to the biggest crucial parts and events as well as the details. This is the story of a group of musicians who manage to break out while they are supposed to give a concert. Okay, so the police are huge idiots here and they really screwed up, but what happens next is even more embarrassing. While on the run, the gang turns into successful musicians and they are cheered at by audiences. Why? Why? Why? There are criminals on the run. Oh yes lets buy their records, won't we? And the police still can't catch them despite all this. Embarrassing stuff. Needless to say that the music in this film is extremely mediocre from start to finish, sometimes weak and this still makes it better than all the rest I guess. Now if they keep getting away from the police, they have to be somewhat criminal masterminds right? Nope not at all. Pretty much all of them act like fools on several occasions. Stupid romance plots include a romance story between a hostage and one of the criminals. Think of OitNB, Prison Break, Vier Minuten etc. and think of everything that could have gone wrong with these movies but didn't. Then you can basically imagine what to expect here. In order to keep audiences (especially horny men I guess) from seeing all the flaws with this movie they included a graphic sex scene including the not so unattractive Jasmin Tabatabai. Oh yeah, the young Nicolette Krebitz' looks are probably by far the best thing about this movie. I am honestly glad she makes films nowadays that are far superior to what we have here. But performance-wise nobody stands out at all, even if the script certainly did not help anybody here at all. But it is especially embarrassing in the case of Katja Riemann who I consider a quite untalented actress and who built her success and the fact that she still gets cast in lead roles two decades later on garbage films like this one here. No idea what awards bodies were thinking. Overall, this film is certainly a contender for worst film of 1997 and also a contender for being among the worst films of the 1990s from everywhere. I highly recommend to stay far far away. Also it proves that the likes of Jaenicke, Sawatzki etc. are people who score through recognition value and charisma and definitely not through great range. The crime plot in the center of it all is as crap as everything else in this movie. Nothing makes sense. And sadly, it is also overlong with an embarrassing final sequence/performance. Nothing feels realistic or authentic. Do. Not. Watch.

This is a refreshing and offbeat German film that keeps the viewer's interest even when the situation becomes a bit improbable. The fact that the music that these four women inmates make is likable enhances the quality of the movie, in my opinion (early on when the band does a cover, in English, of "All Along the Watchtower," an obvious yet inspired choice, I decided at that point the film was going to have merit...). Also while each of the characters has a "story," there isn't a lot of on screen emphasis given to their individual backgrounds per se.For a film that offers a different twist on female convicts and somehow blends music, satire and the bonds of friendship, this is worth taking a look at.

While watching movies about music or musicians, I often sympathize with these poor bastards of actors: The script requires them to play - say - a guitar, but they obviously have no clue as to how to even hold this instrument. And then the singing voice sounds so suspiciously different from the one they talk with...In this respect, 'Bandits' is a welcome surprise: Obviously, these actresses know far more than just the pure basics of their instruments and deliver a convincing performance as a rock band. And sitting through to the end of the credits reveals that they not only did their own singing, but wrote the major part of the music and lyrics by themselves, most notably "Luna" Jasmin Tabatabai.For me, the great music more than compensates for the rather fantastic, sometimes clichéd plot with some minor holes. All in all, a remarkable movie!

No movie is perfect-not even the Godfather!Every movie has flaws, and in stating that this German film had quite a few.The genre seemed to switch between music video/musical (with dance sequences or some type of choreography) and drama.This said there were several surreal scenes, and a critique of the plot should keep this in mind.THE PLOT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE BELIEVABLE!!-four women with different criminal backgrounds fight for thweir emancipation/try to escape from the law while trying to maintain their rock 'n' roll career.Yes, I do agree that some issues/conflicts could have been further developed e.g. the conflict between the two band members over the cute male hostage,the conflict of stardom and infamy,etc.It is interesting to note that being a rock musician is synonymous with being an outlaw.Defying figures of authority and statues of law.So the writers had a interesting concept to work with.The soundtrack was inspiring and simply rocked!!(how come they spoke in German and sung in pure English).Love the song of the final scene-Don't forget to catch me!!The actresses were blessed with talent!!All in all, the film had such an appeal to me and I love it anyhoo.