The Lives Of Others

Set in 1980s East Berlin, director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's debut feature (which earned an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film) provides an exquisitely nuanced portrait of life under the watchful eye of the state police as a high-profile couple is bugged. When a successful playwright and his actress companion become subjects of the Stasi's secret surveillance program, their friends, family and even those doing the watching find their lives changed too.

This has subtitles. I like them and even switch on the subtitle option for films who's actors have strong British accents but know that it's an instant turn off for some people. This film has no objectionable language (unless you hate German), no killing (although some people die), a little sex. It starts off subdued as the Stasi agent follows every nuance of the target's life but takes some very interesting turns as the interplay between the agent, the target and the Stasi hierarchy progresses. A very moving story without being overblown. Amanda and Becky both should like it. Jackie's not a big subtitle fan so would pass. Debbie, I don't know your preferences yet but that will change as you make your posts.