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The Good German

Play trailer Poster for The Good German R 2006 1h 45m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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34% Tomatometer 153 Reviews 33% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Jake Geismar (George Clooney), an Army correspondent, helps his former lover, Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett), comb post-World War II Berlin for her missing husband, who is wanted by American and Russian forces. Shadowing their efforts is Jake's driver, Tully (Tobey Maguire), a GI with connections to the black market. His loyalties unclear to them, Lena and Jake know that Tully has the power to lead them to salvation or great danger.
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The Good German

The Good German

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Critics Consensus

Though Steven Soderbergh succeeds in emulating the glossy look of 1940s noirs, The Good German ultimately ends up as a self-conscious exercise in style that forgets to develop compelling characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi Outlook Jan 24, 2019
2/4
There's a certain distance with which you view the characters, the involvement is not such that they stay with you after the film. Go to Full Review Brian Tallerico UGO Mar 24, 2007
It's Soderbergh's commitment and creativity that lift The Good German above many of its peers, no matter the era. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Mar 8, 2007
Why emphasise flaws in a film of such overall ambition and expertise? Go to Full Review Noah Berlatsky Splice Today Feb 26, 2026
This is one of the great World War II films, precisely because it turns the genre against itself and against the American self-aggrandizement that has generally been its purpose. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 17, 2025
2/4
There's not much beyond self-conscious mise-en-scènes and a lead actor who isn't mysterious or magnetic as much as he's simply aloof. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot May 28, 2025
2.5/5
The Good German is quite successful in capturing the look & feel of the classic film noirs it's paying homage to, but sadly it ends up being far less successful when it comes to the film's actual substance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Taylor B @bigfishjuan Jun 2, 2026 Wanna-be Casablanca, but difficult to get past the horrible performance of Maguire. See more thiago s @Thiagostone May 28, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. See more Marit Risto F @RT66247982 Oct 30, 2024 Surprisingly bad acting from these fabulous, and experienced actors/actresses. The script must have impossible... See more jelisije j @jjosifovic Jun 14, 2022 A nice homage to the classic Casablanca. See more jack s @RT58840043 Jan 7, 2022 A self-indulgent curiosity that has a classic vintage film look, but not the gripping story and memorable characters that could have made it special. Clooney is solid, Blanchett is great (as always), but the usually likable Maguire and Bridges are both mis-cast. Also, the screenplay is frustratingly confusing and the film's ending is completely flat—the audience has long been aware by then what depths Lena (powerfully played by Blanchett) is capable of to survive. In fact, the ending is a perfect example of what's wrong with film as a whole: the director seemed concerned exclusively with the Casablanca finale-like visuals. See more Sep 16, 2021 What a waste of time. You can not create the classic movie-making period of the '40s. Move forward, honor the past. See more Read all reviews
The Good German

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Soderbergh

Director

George Clooney

Jake Geismar

Cate Blanchett

Lena Brandt

Tobey Maguire

Tully

Beau Bridges

Col. Muller

Tony Curran

Danny

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The Good German

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jake Geismar (George Clooney), an Army correspondent, helps his former lover, Lena Brandt (Cate Blanchett), comb post-World War II Berlin for her missing husband, who is wanted by American and Russian forces. Shadowing their efforts is Jake's driver, Tully (Tobey Maguire), a GI with connections to the black market. His loyalties unclear to them, Lena and Jake know that Tully has the power to lead them to salvation or great danger.
Director
Steven Soderbergh
Producer
Ben Cosgrove, Gregory Jacobs
Screenwriter
Paul Attanasio
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Bros., Section Eight Ltd.
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language|Violence)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 15, 2006, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.3M
Runtime
1h 45m
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