Paths

Paths is a compelling German film released in 2017. Directed by Chris Miera and co-written with Philipp Österle, the film stars Mike Hoffmann, Mathis Reinhardt, and Cai Cohrs, painting a complex tapestry of a relationship that unfolds within the mundane realities of everyday life.

Paths, known as “Ein Weg” in its original German title, unfolds as a brilliant study of the ebb and flow of a long-term relationship between two men. The film begins with Martin (Mike Hoffmann) and Andre (Mathis Reinhardt) and their son Max (Cai Cohrs) venturing into the German countryside to pick out a Christmas tree. The family is happy, and yet beneath the surface, complications are about to surface.

This initial setting lays the groundwork for an exploration of deep emotional landscapes, as the couple goes through their everyday life that seem ordinary, but subtly brimming with a bounty of unsaid emotions, simmering tensions, and hidden desires.

Throughout this beautifully shot and meticulously made drama of gay life, the characters engage in multiple back-and-forths between their present and past, with the narrative being broken down into a series of vignettes spanning across a decade of their relationship.

Mike Hoffmann gives a stellar performance as Martin, a photographer, whose brooding personality is complex and endearing. He showcases a marvelous range of quiet emotions that perfectly balance between unconditional love and growing resentment, as the film progresses. Mathis Reinhardt as Andre, is equally impressive. He offers an impeccable performance as an architect, whose practical approach to life and relationships becomes a source of tension within the couple. The couple’s son Max, played by Cai Cohrs, brings a subtle layer of complexity and depth to the narrative, chattily discussing road trips and providing a refreshing contrast to the adult troubles.

Paths reflects the nuanced delicacy of Effi Weiss and Amir Borenstein's cinematography, focusing on the ordinary with an extraordinary attention to detail, all tied together by an emotionally evocative soundtrack by Karim Sebastian Elias. The narrative unraveling of Paths enables viewers to sense the change in seasons and years as reflected by the characters and their surrounding environment.

Interwoven within this narrative are themes of acceptance—of one's self, of others, and of the circumstances that life throws at us. The film touches on homophobia and the resultant struggle of being a gay couple raising a son in a society that questions your every move.

Paths is an understated, sensitive exploration of a relationship spanning years. It invites the viewer onto a journey of love, complexity, and perseverance in the face of challenges. It is an examination of the different routes every relationship takes, some smooth and some rough, some leading to familiar places, others to the unknown.

Paths isn’t just a film about a relationship looking back at years of shared journey—it’s also a poignant narrative on time, memory, love, and the various significant and seemingly insignificant moments that build up a lifetime. Each frame in the film exquisitely puts together pieces of life, nostalgia and melancholy, becoming a beautiful mosaic of emotional landscapes that leave the audiences to reflect on their relationships and their paths.

Hoffmann and Reinhardt's chemistry roots the film, while Cohrs’ performance binds all elements together, making Paths an engrossing watch. Each character radiates a quiet strength that becomes more potent as the story progresses.

Chris Miera's directorial venture Paths stands tall as an engaging discourse on love, relationships, acceptance, and the hardships some face within society. It elegantly touches on the raw aspects of human emotions and experiences that echo throughout our lives, making the film incredibly realistic and relatable.

Combining great performances, exquisite cinematography, and a deeply meaningful narrative – Paths is a testament to modern-day gay-life cinema. It's a moving story about love, loss, and the sheer persistence of humanity.