One for the Road

2023 [GERMAN]

Action / Comedy / Drama

2
IMDb Rating 6.6/10 10 1252 1.3K

Plot summary

As a construction manager, drinking is more of a normality for Mark than not drinking. In addition to his work on construction sites, during business dinners and sprawling Berlin party nights, there is always a reason for him to fully indulge in alcohol intoxication. When he tries to drive his car out of a no-parking zone in a drunken stupor one night, he is promptly checked and immediately loses his driver's license. For Mark, this is reason enough to make a bet with his best friend Nadim: He wants to manage not to touch any alcohol until he has his driver's license again.

Director

Markus Goller Photo
Markus Goller

Top cast

Nora Tschirner Photo
Nora Tschirner as Helena
Lena Schmidtke Photo
Lena Schmidtke as Jenny
Inga Dietrich Photo
Inga Dietrich as Marks Mutter
Eva Weißenborn Photo
Eva Weißenborn as Frauke
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
1.03 GB
1280*536
German 2.0
NR
us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 54 min
Seeds 3
2.11 GB
1920*804
German 5.1
NR
us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 54 min
Seeds 2

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Giuseppe_Silecchia 6 / 10

A bittersweet ride through self-destruction

Markus Goller's *One for the Road* is a darkly comedic exploration of addiction, regret, and fleeting hope. The film follows Mark (Frederick Lau), a brash alcoholic whose reckless behavior costs him his driver's license and lands him in a rehabilitation course. There, he meets Helena (Nora Tschirner), a woman who inspires him to attempt sobriety, even as his old habits and temptations constantly pull him back.Frederick Lau brings a raw, magnetic energy to Mark, portraying him as both infuriating and deeply human. His chemistry with Nora Tschirner, who delivers a subtle and compassionate performance, adds a layer of emotional weight to a narrative that often teeters on the edge of absurdity. Markus Goller's direction balances humor and pathos, crafting moments of genuine laughter that quickly give way to introspection.The cinematography uses muted tones to reflect the protagonist's inner turmoil, while the soundtrack punctuates key moments with a mix of melancholic and upbeat tracks. However, the film's pacing falters at times, with certain scenes feeling repetitive and the central themes occasionally underexplored. Despite its ambition, *One for the Road* doesn't always fully escape the clichés of addiction narratives, leaving it feeling predictable in parts.This film will resonate with those who appreciate character-driven stories that blend humor and drama. It's best suited for an intimate viewing, where its emotional beats can resonate more deeply. *One for the Road* is an imperfect but honest look at self-destruction and the struggle to change.Rating: 6/10 - A darkly comedic tale that entertains but doesn't break new ground.
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Reviewed by NMDLL 9 / 10

More serious than you might expect

This movie is not only about the main character's fight against a serious desease, it is much more about how society deals with the thin border between enjoying alcohol or other drugs and when life gets out of control because of that. The same thin line is there between being admired for not being boring and living life to the fullest and not allowing much enjoyment - a very interesting moment depicted between Mr. Jung and his neighbor.

Alcohol surely facilitates getting into an entertaining party mode, but in a fragile and short-lived fashion that can easily turn into aggression. While the plot might not contain many surprises, it still shows nicely that alcohol cannot be the ingredient of a happy life for obvious reasons. A delicate subject, with great acting and honestly much better than expected - more serious than you might think from the cast and layout.

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