Young Goethe in Love (2011)

The movie, known simply as Goethe! in Germany, focuses on the semi-autobiographical first novel of Johann Goethe's, 'The Sorrow of Young Werther'.   Goethe's father, unhappy with his son's ambition to be a writer, sends him off to apprentice in a law office.  He has a talent for the work, but it does not nourish his soul.

One day he sees a woman who enchants him at a dance--and she finds him equally enchanting.  They are intellectual equals, and both have a passion for literature--as well as each other.  The major problem in their romance is that she is from a very large family and it falls on her shoulders to marry wealthy and save them.  Goethe is not the answer to that problem, and eventually she sees that as well.  Much as she loves Goethe, her personal situation would be a millstone around his neck, and she wants to set him free.

The movie is simple in it's message, but that does not make it any less enjoyable.  Alexander Fehling, recognizable to me from his tole in 'Inglorious Basterds', but probably well known in his own country, is terribly engaging as the young Goethe, and Miriam Stein is equally engaging as his love interest, Lotte.  They have great screen chemistry, and Lotte is convincingly in like with the man she marries as well.  We see her plight, and where her heart tells her she must go, and we feel that she will be happy.  She will make the best of it.  The period costumes and countryside are very pleasant, and this movie is quite fun from start to predictable finish.