The Lake Constance comedy “Family Heritage”: Regarding inheritance, peace is over
Kissing can be very dangerous. Especially when you are sitting in the car, the car slowly rolls in an uncontrolled manner and stops only in the middle of the railroad tracks. And when the train is approaching and the kisses don’t notice it, it’s really time to call it a day! This is what is happening to Georg (Walter Kreye) and Regine Schlegel (Sabine von Maydell), an elderly couple who have just come to terms with a passionate kiss after an argument. Regina dies immediately after the collision, Georg survives the accident but dies a few days later. A fact that will have consequences for the course of the tragic comedy “Family Heritage”.
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The film directed by Holger Haase (screenplay: Simone Kollmorgen) begins so dramatically that as the rather convoluted story unfolds, it unfortunately becomes more and more harmless, and finally everything melts into the most beautiful harmonious pleasure. And you might be wondering when this ARD movie shows on Wednesday night, time for more ambitious stories, not on a Friday that is dominated by shallow comedies. The paths of those in charge of the program are sometimes unfathomable.
“Family inheritance” also has its advantages
But despite all the criticism, Family Heritage also has its advantages. In part, the story told is not only somehow nice, but downright funny. Many dialogues do make you smile and topical topics such as the gender debate are skillfully raised. And the team is convincing too. Yet they are all so peaceful, bourgeois worthy contemporaries that it is too soon to suspect that the story can only end harmoniously.
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But first, the deaths of Georg and Regina bring chaos to their family. They both had an accident on their wedding day and their children had a surprise party for them. Leo (Christine Hecke), Georg’s biological daughter, Maren (Ulrike C. Tscharre), Regine’s biological daughter, and Mattes (Lucas Prisor), the only son of both parents, gathered at their parents’ home directly on Lake Constance. Their partners are also there. And Judith (Anne-Marie Lux), one of Georg’s art scholars, who later turns out to be his biological daughter. In short: the entire clan is a great mixed family that gets along well despite the different ways.
End of family peace
But now, after the death of the parents, the peace in the family is over, now it’s time for the inheritance: who will get the old villa and possible fortune? Everyone could use the desired money well and diligently. Mattes, because he just broke another project and therefore has big debts. Leo, a gender researcher, and her new partner Lissai (Ivy Quainoo) want to organize a “housing workshop for people who are different.” And Maren, who already lives in this house with her husband (Torben Liebrecht) and son, wants to arrange holiday apartments there. After all, money can always be used, especially when the spouse is earning a living from his ferry business. Judith, who has so far made no money from her art, feels the same. Which is not surprising in the light of their photos.
Chaos is perfect because the interests and requirements are completely different. There are minor but cool intrigues, nice taunts and quarrels, as well as romances and jealousies. Everyone fights everyone. Last but not least, the missing will and, most importantly, the complicated inheritance law create a wonderful mess. But when it turns out that the villa is heavily in debt, suddenly everyone has to get together.
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“Family Heritage” will be broadcast on ARD on April 6 at