In the new German film "Cicadas", Nina Hoss, a renowned actress and executive producer, again partners with director Ina Weisse, reprising their successful collaboration which previously gave us 2019's "The Audition". In "Cicadas", Hoss portrays Isabell, a 48-year-old luxury real estate agent based in Berlin, who is struggling to support her elderly parents while her marriage to a French engineer deteriorates. At the same time, she finds herself attracted to Anja, (Saskia Rosendahl), a struggling single mother from Brandenburg, where Isabell’s architect father built a visually dramatic modern home.
The film intricately weaves multiple storylines and despite its engaging plot, it remains somewhat hard to follow due to numerous story registers and ill-defined backstories. Nevertheless, "Cicadas" shines a light on the complex dynamics of family relationships. For instance, parents' obligations towards their children and vice versa. A unique feature of the film’s casting is that Weisse’s real-life parents play the roles of Isabell’s parents, layering the film’s exploration of parenthood with a dose of authenticity.
From the onset, the film contrasts the family circumstances of Isabell and Anja. Isabell has to deal with the challenges of managing her aging parents’ estate, which is falling into disrepair, while her father resists her suggestion to sell. Meanwhile, Anja struggles financially and has to face unwanted attention from her boss while her daughter Greta causes trouble.
The relationship between Isabell and Anja is portrayed as quite ambiguous, almost veering into psychodrama. Isabell seems to be drawn to Anja’s hardships, while the latter is shown as an unreliable character. The film does not sufficiently explore these aspects, leaving them as loose ends tied to an open and somewhat unsatisfying end.
"Isabell’s self-centred husband, Philippe, adds a dash of farce to the mix of drama. His high-handedness is central to many scenes, although it often appears inappropriate and incongruous. Moreover, the film's abrupt transitions between scenes, executed by Weisse in collaboration with editor Hansjörg Weissbrich, further contribute to the overall confusion.
In spite of the disjointed narrative, Hoss’s performance remains captivating, even without as much material as she had in "The Audition". Rosendahl's portrayal, however, suffers due to her character's undefined growth arc. Even the title "Cicadas" does not distinctly contribute to the drama, mirroring the disjointed narrative of the film.
