"Tschick" is a German-language movie from this year and the newest Bork by successful Turkish/German filmmaker Faith Akin. He has not yet made a kids movie in his career and even if this one here is certainly also a film for grown-ups, the focus is still on two teenage boys and their time on the road. This one here is really the epitome of a kids-oriented road movie. Both boys are somewhat outsiders, but they join forces and spend the most interesting summer holidays one can imagine. This especially refers to Maik as he is really the central character here in the story. The film starts with him and ends with him and we also find out a lot more about his life, his parents, his love interest etc. compared to Tschick. It takes us two thirds into the film to even get to know about Tschick's sexual identity while we learn about Maik's crush in the very first minute of the film. The lead actor here is Tristan Göbel and he has worked in a solid deal of films already given his age, certainly pretty experienced for a 14-year-old boy. The actor who plays the title character (Anand Batbileg) may be the exact opposite almost as, apparently, he is still a rookie when it comes to acting and performing.

But that is perfectly fine as these slightly over 90 minutes here are much more about the story and also the coming-of-age than about individual performances. And if you hear about this subject, then you will not be surprised to see Hark Bohm working on the screen play as the topic of coming-of-age was also very present in his most known works, even if they are already from several decades back. His adoptive son Uwe also acts in here. Speaking about the cast, you will find several somewhat known names appearing in here, even if they (like Friederike Kempter for example) only play very small roles. The only ones with more screen time are the actors who play the protagonist's parents and like others these are familiar faces too, at least to German movie buffs, even if I only recognized the father. You may not know the names, but you may know the people who act in there and realize that you have seen their faces in several other works. Then again, it's not really important who they are. What is much more important is that Akin once again brings us a convincing work and you can describe pretty much all of his works as bold and relevant, even if you are age-wise and society-wise far away from the main characters. Finally, he has shown us that he can delivers also in terms of children's films, a genre that is truly popular right now. This one here, based on the novel by late writer Wolfgang Herrndorf, is definitely worth seeing. I recommend you check it out.

The coming-of-age road adventure based on the book of the same name. From the director of 'Soul Kitchen'. It was like any other similar themed teen flick, has all the same formulas, but what makes it special is it is being a German film. I'm not saying it is new for German film, but definitely not every year flooded with such plenty of flicks like in the Hollywood. Besides, there are other major differences, as it is culture, mindset of the kids and the type of adventure.

The original title name is the name of one of the main film characters. But the story was observed from another character who has been with him all along. Opened with some road accident and soon the flashback follows to reveal what happened till that point of the film. For me the story did not impress, it was how everything was presented on the screen. It was a 90 minute film, and straight to the point kind of narration. Which means the pace was never compromised.

It tells the story of two teenage boys how they have spent their summer. After not invited to the birthday party to whom he has a crush on, Maik decides to go an unexpected road trip with his new, weird friend. A lifetime journey. Being a teenager and taking a such ride unwraps his mind as he was only living in the small world so far. Which particularly points out his one sided romance. At the end of his adventure where stands and the aftermath of everything was briefly disclosed.

❝Someone just needs to scratch in some letters, then it will be 'Atomic Crisis of 2016'.❞

The 'road movie' has been just a concept, but the stories created around it was very nice. Like many mini episodes, whenever they encounter the new people, the new places. At its halfway through, the third character was introduced. It was one of the best improvement. At first it was not intentional, but going further it becomes. Might not close to the real life, but makes such impression that's not too far from the reality. On how some people slipped away from the actual world and the contact with its people. Obviously with the reason, that does not reveal to us because of not to make any further complication in the storytelling.

The overall best thing about the film was not digging anything so in detail. Everything about the film was a rough cut. Except the opening parts in the school where the plot was initiated. It was more of an introduction than the initiation. And the remaining film was a transformation from something what we knew its state of condition (of the main character) to the ultimate goal (which was not expected).

It drags the gay topic, but throw away immediately. Similarly a few other topics as well. Yeah, the film was fun, as it told from the teenager's perspective, not the entire film to be considered very seriously. Though there some parts make sense and inspires, despite done/committed on the contrary. When it comes to the cast, it was flawless performances. Both the lead boys were awesome. The odd combination worked out well. But it was not that odd, while narrating the story.

The Maik reminded me the Wiley Wiggins from 'Dazed and Confused'. The film was not predictable, but the path it has taken was. If I say the film was excellent, that does not mean all of you would enjoy it. Surely teenagers, and children film fans would, but those who are familiar with this kind might find nothing new in it. For them it does not matter, it is an American or a German film. That does not mean it's not worth a watch. So try it, despite you are going to like it or not in the later.

7.5/10

This is my first movie that I watched from Fatih Akin. Shame on me! I am deeply impressed his innocent language in telling the story of two boys and the other characters. Tschick (Goodbye Berlin) tells a very ordinary story around two teenagers with an amazing beautiful way. I think that the success of the movie is not trying to tell the story from an adult view, on the contrary, telling like a teenager who talks about what happened during the last summer. The tune between sadness and happiness is very balanced. I like movies that not trying to exploit / (ab)use audience's weak points and Tschick (Goodbye Berlin) is also not trying to do this and set the audience free. For me, the main outcome (if we need a message from every movie that we watched) is "to be yourself" and "to accept life and people around you as well as yourself". There are many upsetting around two boy characters but all are experienced not in a melodramatic way but very truthful way like all we experienced when we were young. Anand Batbileg (Tschick) and Tristan Göbel (Maik) play their role perfectly. As I was watching the movie, I have never thought on their performances as "Oh no it is too exaggerated way" or "they are short for the role". I like this movie. It is honest, cheerful, hopeful and very very sentimental. I like sentimental laughter. (*) Mylast note for the admin. It is not possible to write Fatih Akin's surname in its original way. In Turkish we have small "I" and this field doesn't accept it. His surname is not written with "i" but with small "I". You may need fixing this. Thank you!