Young Goethe In Love (2011)

61% of critics liked it
(31 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(714 ratings)

Germany 1772 - the young and tumultuous Johann Goethe (Alexander Fehling) aspires to be a poet but after failing his law exams, is sent by his father (Henry Huebchen) to a sleepy provincial court to mend his ways. At first, he tries to do his best and wins the praise and friendship of his superior… More Germany 1772 - the young and tumultuous Johann Goethe (Alexander Fehling) aspires to be a poet but after failing his law exams, is sent by his father (Henry Huebchen) to a sleepy provincial court to mend his ways. At first, he tries to do his best and wins the praise and friendship of his superior Kestner (Moritz Bleibtreu). But then Lotte (Miriam Stein) enters his life and nothing is the same as before. However, Johann is unaware that Lotte is in fact already promised by her father (Burghart Klaußner) to Kestner. The dramatic and unfulfilled love between the poet and Lotte was the template for his masterpiece "The Sorrows of Young Werther." -- (C) Music Box

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Philipp Stölzl
Written By: Alexander Dydyna, Christoph Müller, Philipp Stölzl
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Nov 4, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Apr 24, 2012
Studio: Music Box Films

Critic Reviews

Ty Burr, Boston Globe
What was Sturm and Drang then veers close to camp and kitsch now.
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
The story of a talented but not yet mature young man who stumbles upon the topic that would lead to his fame: love, and the loss of it.
Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader
Like a porcelain dish commemorating a famous person, this biopic has little to teach us about the great German writer but sure makes him look adorable.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
More diverting than it is deep...
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
You needn't know a thing about Goethe or his works to enjoy the picture.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"Young Goethe in Love" is a delight on its own terms, even if it has little to do with the real Goethe; here is a randy young man not a million miles apart from Tom Jones.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Fans of "Shakespeare in Love" should receive this one warmly. I would watch it again.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review at Movies for the Masses
Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
An old-fashioned romance that's easy to like even if you have no interest in German literature, illegal duels or the more romantic aspects of committing suicide.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Pain plus time, this film reminds us, can result in poetry.
Justin Strout, Orlando Weekly
An Ashton Kutcher/Katherine Heigl rom-com vehicle with pretty dresses.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
So long as one doesn't take it as a history lesson,...a moderately enjoyable period piece...an exercise in quasi-biography that's engaging in an old-fashioned way.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
A lively, deeply felt film that convinces us a historical figure's life was as compelling as the work he achieved.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Attempts to do for the German romantic poet what Amadeus did for Mozart, with limited success.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

In 18th century Europe, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe is a young scholar with abundant affection, but challenged by a competition. Iambic, but considerably hackneyed, Goethe! eventually conquered simplicity and monotony by abandoning the conventions of the genre satisfying the audience… More
In 18th century Europe, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe is a young scholar with abundant affection, but challenged by a competition. Iambic, but considerably hackneyed, Goethe! eventually conquered simplicity and monotony by abandoning the conventions of the genre satisfying the audience with an unexpected accommodating resolution. Enlightened.