TIFF Roundup: My Mother, My Bride and I

My Mother, My Bride and I tells the story of mama's boy Erwin (Matthias Brandt) who shakes up his sheltered existence by bringing a fiery Romanian woman (Maria Popistasu) home to his native Germany. The film contains a number of small, charming moments expertly handled by the three excellent leads. The quirk factor is above average in a good way and the story is engaging. Unfortunately, the tonal shift, two-thirds of the way through drains much of the movie's vitality. Surprises are nice in that they subvert the tedium of telegraphed plots, but occasionally stories are better when they stay the expected course. Worthwhile viewing for parts-are-just-as important-as-the-whole-types because many of the parts are wonderful. Not so much for types who require consistency as an absolute requirement for enjoyment. Variety gives an accurate summation with slightly more spoilerific detail than is ideal here.