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A 58-year-old doctor laces up skates after 40 years—and her midlife crisis becomes pure magic.
TMDB
63
Watch(US)

The Beginner (2018)

underdog energymother-daughter warfarequietly radical

Overview

FamilyDrama

A coming-of-age tale with a difference about the grumpy doctor Annebarbel Buschhaus donning her ice skates again at the age of 58 after an absence of 40 years. Back on the ice, she tries to revive long suppressed childhood dreams – and makes a new friend, Jolina Kuhn, Berlin’s youth figure skating champion. Through her new friend, Annebarbel begins to open up and break away from her dominant mother.

Flag of DEDEGerman
Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Ulrike Krumbiegel's rusty grace captures reinvention without cheese.

Practical Effects

Real former champ Christine Errath cameos—authenticity guaranteed.

Best for:Solo: Cry in your hoodie about your own abandoned dreams.·Date Night: Impress someone with your emotional range.·Family: Watch with your mom, then have THE talk.
Heads up:Triggers: Emotional abuse by controlling parent, gaslighting scenes.
A

Director

Alexandra Sell

ReleasedJan 18, 2018
Runtime1h 39m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelheavy
ARTE
ZDF

Top Cast

Ulrike Krumbiegel

Ulrike Krumbiegel

Dr. Annebärbel Buschhaus

Annekathrin Bürger

Annekathrin Bürger

Dr. Irene Hanschke

Rainer Bock

Rainer Bock

Rolf Buschhaus

Stephan Grossmann

Stephan Grossmann

Horst Kuhn

Franziska Weisz

Franziska Weisz

Birgit Zernitz

Tatja Seibt

Tatja Seibt

Gertrud

Ernst-Georg Schwill

Ernst-Georg Schwill

Herr Decker

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Director Alexandra Sell cast real figure skaters for authenticity; Maria Rogozina was an actual Berlin junior competitor.

Cultural

The film quietly critiques East German sports machinery—Annebärbel's crushed childhood dream reflects real state-controlled athletic programs.

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Reviews

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