All My Loving (, meaning siblings) is a 2019 German drama film directed by Edward Berger. It was shown in the Panorama section at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival.
Cast
Lars Eidinger - Stefan Hoffmann
Nele Mueller-Stöfen - Julia Hoffmann
Hans Löw - Tobias Hoffmann
Mathilde Berger - Vicky Hoffmann
Christine Schorn - Ebba Hoffmann
Manfred Zapatka - Pit Hoffmann
Critical response
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote ″In press notes, Berger offers up his admiration of American independent directors like Ang Lee, Todd Haynes, Todd Solondz, Lisa Cholodenko and Noah Baumbach, citing The Ice Storm, Happiness and The Kids Are All Right among his influences. I failed to see any trace of that in All My Loving, which has as much teeth and personality as a gummy bear. Even when the struggles faced by the characters are major life blows like the loss of a child or parent, or the abrupt cutoff of a career, there’s little emotional heft. And the conclusion merely tacks on a tidy wrap-up that’s meant to make us share the joy and hope of renewal of characters we’ve been given scant reason to care about.″ Screen Daily's Fionnuala Halligan wrote ″Although its tri-partite structure and concentration on the ebb-and-flow of domestic affairs imply a lack of cinematic urgency, this is a very satisfying film for connoisseurs of fine drama.″
Ola Salwa of Cineuropa wrote ″What makes All My Loving stand out is its tone and compassionate approach to the protagonists. Berger doesn’t judge or feel contempt towards the “poor little kids” - his storytelling style is subtle and elegant, as is his way of working with his actors. They all play down their emotions in order to let the audience into the inner world of their characters, but without revealing too much. Therefore, what could have been yet another pretentious accusation levelled at middle-class indolence is, in fact, a touching, engaging, intimate sit-down with people whom we wish could be slightly better versions of themselves.″