Aimée & Jaguar (2000)

TOMATOMETER

90%
92%

Critic Consensus: A gripping examination of sexual taboos, set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany, bolstered by a subtly shaded script and a strong cast.

AUDIENCE SCORE

87%

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Movie Info

Based on a true story, Aimée & Jaguar is a love story and historical drama about a liaison both forbidden and dangerous. Set in Berlin during World War II, Aimée & Jaguar tells the story of Felice (Maria Schrader), a reporter with a Nazi newspaper who has two secret lives. Felice is actually a Jew who smuggles classified documents to underground forces working against Hitler; she's also a lesbian who spends her nights in gay clubs with her lover, Ilse (Johanna Wokalek). Ilse works as a maid for Lilly (Juliane Kohler), the wife of a Nazi soldier with four children and a handful of male lovers. Felice meets Lilly and is immediately attracted to her. As Germany begins to lose ground to Allied forces, Felice becomes bolder in her work with the underground. Similarly, Felice's feelings for Lilly grow, and one day she kisses her on a reckless impulse, to discover that Lilly is drawn to her as well. A passionate romance blooms between the two women as Nazi forces begin to crumble and Felice courts danger at every turn. This handsomely staged production was the feature-film debut from director Max Faerberboeck, whose previous credits include extensive stage and television work.

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Cast

Juliane Köhler
as Lilly Wust
Maria Schrader
as Felice Schragenheim
Heike Makatsch
as Klaerchen
Johanna Wokalek
as Ilse
Elisabeth Degen
as Lotte
Detlev Buck
as Guenther Wust
Inge Keller
as Lilly (today)
Kyra Mladeck
as Ilse (Today)
Ulrich Matthes
as Eckert
Peter Weck
as Keller
Margit Bendokat
as Mrs. Jager
Jochen Stern
as Werner Lause
H.C. Blumenberg
as Stefan Schmidt
Klaus Manchen
as Father Kappler
Hans-Christoph Blumenberg
Sarah Camp
as Mother Kappler
Desiree Nick
as Erika
Michael Degen
Patrizia Moresco
as Maria
Karin Friesecke
as Marlene
Dani Levy
as Fritz Borchert
Lya Dulitzkaya
as Grandma Hulda
Klaus Koennecke
as Mr. Ude
Barbara Focke
as Mrs. Ude
Dorkas Kiefer
as Tanja
Werner Rehm
as Conductor
Rüdiger Hacker
as Ernst Biermosl
Peer Jager
as Mr. Pohl
Anette Felber
as Mrs. Pohl
Bastian Trost
as Lieutenant
Rosel Zech
as Blonde Woman
Carl Heinz Choynski
as Brummer
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Critic Reviews for Aimée & Jaguar

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (13)

A sophisticated and beautiful feature debut from German television director Max Färberböck.

Oct 2, 2002 | Full Review…
L.A. Weekly
Top Critic

A vivid slice of life -- and love -- during the 1944 Allied bombardment of Berlin.

Feb 14, 2002 | Rating: B-
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic

The film ... isn't up to the complexities the story raises, but it's a consistently engrossing piece of work.

Aug 9, 2001 | Full Review…
Salon.com
Top Critic

This is more than a same-sex success, it's a most affecting, most sensual on-screen love affair, period.

Feb 14, 2001 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic

Färberböck's adaptation relies on the hefty talents of its two leading ladies.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Village Voice
Top Critic

Färberböck's engrossing debut conveys the devotion between Aimée (Juliane Köhler) and Felice Schragenheim (Maria Schrader).

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for Aimée & Jaguar

i really liked this movie. Another one of my Library Media finds.

Megan S
Megan S

Super Reviewer

Great, great film. Touching, historically mostly accurate and great acting.

Ina S
Ina S

Super Reviewer

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