Rent Christiane F. (1981)

The Downward Spiral. - Christiane F. review by NP

Just over ten years before 'Christiane F.' was released, there was a British film called 'Permissive'; both films feature amateur non-actors, a flawed but fascinating central female character, paint a pretty grizzly, drug-fuelled picture of a bygone era, and both are relentlessly grim. The two films could be companion pieces.

Of the two, 'Christiane F.' is the bleakest. What begins as a descent into the unforgiving world of drug use, soon becomes a horrifying and relentless series of self-punishment instigated by the characters; here, everyone is addicted to one thing or another. It's a messy, bloody spiral and first-time Director Uli Edel spares us nothing. No matter how many times a needle is carefully (or not so much) inserted, the wincing effect does not lessen. That these characters, often little more than children, succumb so fully to the casual yet deadly nature of their new pasttime, is heartbreaking to see; their regular half-hearted promises to stop the habit cut no ice with each other or the audience.

Only the parental involvement doesn't ring so true. On the odd occasions Christiane's mother sees her, she seems shocked and oblivious to her daughter's deterioration, despite it being blatantly obvious Christiane has a deadly problem. This doesn't convince. Also, the abruptness of the finale is jarring. Blink and you'll miss the end of the film. After such a build-up of Christiane's plight, we all deserve more of a payoff; it's as if Edel is not interested in any kind of happy ending.

Edel is a hugely effective director, however, often letting the actors and the harrowing events speak for themselves - and what actors they are. Often, real-life users are featured, their fate every bit as precarious as Christiane's.

Natja Brunckhorst is *extraordinarily* good as the titular character. At the time of filming, she was the same age as her character - 13 years old. And yet, in a performance that would never be allowed today, she is frighteningly compelling as the yougster caught up in a true nightmare.

Not an easy film to enjoy, this is nevertheless a showcase for unsophisticated, unglamorous and compelling drama. Is it exploitation, as the late film critic Barry Norman suggested at the time? I can't answer that, but it is a very powerful 138 minutes of anyone's time.

David Bowie boosts 'Christiane F.'s commercial appeal by providing the incidental score (songs that you'll never listen to in the same way again, often taken from his 'Berlin' period) and appearing both in person and as the focus of Christiane's idolisation. My score is 9 out of 10.