The Best Films of 2012: #9

Director Christian Petzold's quiet, astutely observed drama "Barbara" is set in the Stasi-controlled East Germany of 1980. As the film begins, Berlin-educated Dr. Barbara Wolff (Nina Hoss) arrives at her new post, a hospital in the provinces, where she's been reassigned after serving a prison term for having applied for an exit visa. Barbara is as collegial as she has to be, not a bit more. The presiding physician, Andre (appealing Ronald Zehrfeld), takes a liking to her and attempts to engage her professionally and loosen her guard, but she knows he's been groomed by Jörg, the Stasi agent (Mark Waschke) assigned to keep tabs on her.

Barbara

I hope "Barbara" won't get lost in the holiday shuffle. "Yella" director Christian Petzold's quiet, astutely observed drama, set in the Stasi-controlled East Germany of 1980, is one of the season's best gifts for moviegoers. As the film begins, Berlin-educated Dr. Barbara Wolff (Nina Hoss) arrives at her new post, a hospital in the provinces, where she's been reassigned after serving a prison term for having applied for an exit visa. Barbara is as collegial as she has to be, not a bit more. The presiding physician, Andre (appealing Ronald Zehrfeld) takes a liking to her and attempts to engage her professionally and loosen her guard - but she knows he's been groomed by Jörg, the Stasi agent (Mark Waschke) assigned to watch her.