听 A riches-to-rags amorality tale, Detlev Buck's Tough Enough stars David Kross as a pampered teen forced to make his own way on the mean streets of inner-city Berlin. It's dark at times but seldom dreary, and while a slightly silly plot weakens its effectiveness as a snapshot of urban life, smart dialogue and a fine cast keep things on track until the fireworks of the final reel.
Michael's life of casual luxury is overturned when his mother is thrown out of her wealthy boyfriend's house. They start anew, penniless, on the wrong side of town. The only blond kid in his new class, his white skin and clean looks make him a target for the bullies, but also apparently invisible to policemen. This is picked up by the charismatic local gangster Hamal, and before long Michael is happily running his errands, then his drugs, all over town - and unwittingly getting ever further out of his depth.
"THE LEADS ARE STRONG"
Detached, muted colours, a swirling soundtrack and a well-tuned script lend polish to the grimy urban location. The leads - particularly Kross - are strong, while rich supporting characters - the school tough with a secret life, the copper with a soft spot for Michael's mum, and Hamal's jovial right hand man - bring enough credibility and tension to move a fairly hokey premise toward a highly satisfactory ending.
In German with English subtitles.
Tough Enough is out in the UK on 21st September 2007.
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