German musical comedies of the 1950s and early 1960s are almost throughout rather embarrassing spectacles for a modern audience, made to a formula, full of clichés, films that were already dated when they first came out. In fact, these movies are frequently constructed in a very similar way to Bollywood mainstream flicks, complete with dark-haired seductresses and mustachioed villains, etc.
But there are exceptions to this rule and "Das Glas Wasser" is one. The film is witty, intelligent, a little saucy, set with a remarkable (and remarkably clever) production design, and carried by excellent performances from the whole cast. Although Gustaf Gründgens is best known for his serious theatrical work, especially during the Nazi-era, he shows here that he is equally at home in comedies, displaying a comic timing that most genre regulars could learn from.
But there are exceptions to this rule and "Das Glas Wasser" is one. The film is witty, intelligent, a little saucy, set with a remarkable (and remarkably clever) production design, and carried by excellent performances from the whole cast. Although Gustaf Gründgens is best known for his serious theatrical work, especially during the Nazi-era, he shows here that he is equally at home in comedies, displaying a comic timing that most genre regulars could learn from.