Coming Out Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Coming Out Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 23, 2023

1989’s “Coming Out” is a historic film, widely identified as the last feature to be released by East Germany before reunification efforts began in the country. It’s also a rare study of the gay experience from the era, with director Heiner Carow overseeing a tender but turbulent story of self- acceptance. In many ways, “Coming Out” has the touch of a television movie, but there’s something deeper about the material (written by Erika Richter and Wolfram Witt), which takes its time to understand brewing emotional issues and the pain of mistakes, and lead actor Matthias Freihof provides a powerful performance, capturing the internal churn of a man who can’t find comfort, dealing with the mighty weight of his own shame.

Philipp (Matthias Freihof) is a twentysomething teacher, tasked with maintaining order in the classroom while trying to brighten the lives of his East German students through exposure to the arts. Literally slamming into colleague Tanja (Dagmar Manzel), Philipp commences a relationship with the excited woman, who’s been admiring him from afar for a long time. Philipp tries to remain invested in Tanja, but his heart longs for something else, finding his way to Matthias (Dirk Kummer), a younger gay man who’s openly attracted to the teacher, with the pair commencing an affair Philipp is desperate to keep secret. Recognizing he can’t go on living a lie, Philipp is stuck in a dark place, unsure how to be himself in society as he discovers more about the gay scene in East Germany.

“Coming Out” opens with a harsh reality, as Carow focuses on a fight for life featuring Matthias, who’s attempted an overdose to end his life. Why? Because there’s no hope for a gay man in East Germany. It’s a tough scene, but it sets the tone of “Coming Out,” which switches focus to Philipp, who’s ready to change lives with his teaching, but remains stuck in the tightness of expectations for his own life, soon embarking on a romance with Tanja without ever truly committing to a woman who’s fully onboard with their relationship. One of the few criticisms of the screenplay is its treatment of Tanja, who’s depicted as child-like in many ways, lacking a deeper understanding of her feelings as she’s put in an awful situation. However, this is Philipp’s story, and it’s a compelling one, watching the young man feel freedom when he visits a gay bar and connects with Matthias, entering a sexual relationship that changes him in a profound way.

Coming Out Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a decent sense of skin particulars, also offering textured clothing as outfits range from autumnal wear to grander costume pieces. German tours are dimensional, with acceptable exteriors. Interiors on living spaces and bars deliver adequate decorative additions. Colors are active, offering bright primaries with nightlife experiences. Cooler hues are found with the concrete world of the film. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain carries a more processed appearence. Source is in good shape.

Coming Out Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix present a straightforward listening experience for "Coming Out." Dialogue exchanges are clear, capturing performance choices and softer emotionality. Music supports satisfactorily, with decent instrumentation and balance.

Coming Out Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "We Would be Honored by Such an Inscription: Coming Out in the GDR" (28:31, HD) is a video essay by Tom Boye.

• And a Trailer has not been included on this release.

Coming Out Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Coming Out" has some moments of melodrama, but it's not overwhelmed by it, remaining remarkably true to real emotions as Philipp struggles to experience the world on his terms, dealing with the strain of identity and the sting of mistakes. "Coming Out" works exceptionally well in quieter scenes of reflection and education, helping to understand how suffocating Philipp's world truly is, faced with judgment from all sides. There's a lot of thought put into the work, with Carow very careful to avoid tragedy, sustaining the main character's journey as a richly human experience that visits private areas of doubt and tracks a fascinating understanding of self-worth.