An inadvertent infidelity propels three inhabitants of a small German town into a fraught love triangle in this powerful, minutely and beautifully observed second film from director Valeska Grisebach.
Markus, a small-town metal worker, lives a comfortable but unexceptional life with his wife, Ella. After being somewhat rattled by witnessing an apparent suicide attempt, Markus goes for a weekend training session with the local volunteer fire brigade.
After a night of heavy drinking at a group dinner, he wakes up in the apartment of a waitress, Rose. Although he can barely remember their encounter from the night before, it quickly becomes apparent that this is something more than a one-night stand.
Grisebach's keen eye for the emotional subtleties of her story is complemented by outstanding performances from the leads and exquisite photography by cinema-tographer Bernhard Keller. An unexpected coda to the film provides a satisfying finishing touch to an engaging and affecting story, with shades of the Dardenne brothers.