Young Goethe in Love: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Poetry

You know the feeling when you stumble upon a film that’s like finding an old postcard tucked inside a book? That’s how “Young Goethe in Love” felt to me. Directed by the talented Philipp Stölzl, this 2010 flick takes us on a whirlwind tour of young Goethe’s (played by Alexander Fehling) heart and mind before he becomes the literary giant we all know.

So, picture this: a young poet, all dreamy-eyed, whisked away by the intoxicating sensation of first love. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Maybe not with poetry, but surely with passion! It’s not all roses and rainbows though, because it gets as messy as a banana peel on an icy Swedish morning. Seeing Goethe’s struggles—his love for Lotte (the charming Miriam Stein) and his tussle with life’s expectations—reminded me of my botched attempt at impressing Britta Nilsson back in ’85. I was 17, and figured quoting Shakespeare would do the trick. Spoiler: it didn’t.

What’s fascinating is Stölzl’s knack for blending historical flair with a rather modern angst. The film pops visually, making you wanna dust off your old paintbrush set. I mean, come on, those costumes! And the candid chemistry between the cast, particularly Fehling and Stein, feels as frothy as a freshly poured beer in a Stockholm pub.

However, though the romance captivates, sometimes the script drags its feet a bit, like an aunt who’s taken too many selfies at Julbord. Maybe a tighter edit would’ve made it soar like an eagle over the Swedish archipelago.

Yet, there’s a rawness here—an exploration of ambition, love, and creativity that hits home. As I walked out of the theatre, breathing in that familiar scent of popcorn mixed with winter jackets, I thought about the creative struggles we all face. Not as dramatic maybe, but no less real.

Well, that’s it from me. Catch it for a ride through youthful dreams, blunders, and all those in-betweens.

Check the trailer below