Lola (1981)

Lola: Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. With Barbara Sukowa, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Mario Adorf, Matthias Fuchs. A seductive cabaret singer-prostitute pits a corrupt building contractor against the new straight-arrow building commissioner, launching an outrageous plan to elevate herself in a world where everything-and everyone-is for sale.

“Itu0026#39;s 10 years after the war in West Germany. Lola (Barbara Sukowa) is a lounge singer/prostitute at a bordello run by corrupt builder Schuckert, the father of her daughter. Herr von Bohm (Armin Mueller-Stahl) is a new righteous building commissioner and Schuckert needs to add three floors to his building. Esslin works under von Bohm and is the corrupt mayoru0026#39;s man. Lolau0026#39;s mother is von Bohmu0026#39;s landlady. Lola seduces von Bohm as proper lady with her real name Marie-Louise. When Esslin brings him to the bordello, his incorruptibility is tested.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBarbara Sukowa is terrific as the brassy broad reminiscent of the old classic goddesses like Marlene Dietrich. Armin Mueller-Stahl is always Armin. There are other great performances. This is a morality fable. It has a slightly surreal melodramatic feel. Itu0026#39;s all very intriguing.”