Look Who’s Back: German comedy about Hitler is too dark to digest

Hitler is lying on dried, yellow leaves with his eyes wide open - full of surprise and curiosity. He has been resurrected in the 21st century near one of his bunkers after 70 years. 

He bumps into some teenagers who do not address him properly; no proper greetings, no salute, nor do they bow before him. Tourists mistake him as a performance artist. They laugh and gather around him, taking photos.

"Look Who's Back" is based on the 2012 bestseller novel of the same name by Timur Vermes. The book was translated into film in 2015 by David Wnendt. It starred Oliver Masucci as Hitler, otherwise known as Führer of the future.

Watch the trailer of "Look Who's Back" here 

Although the movie's duration was an hour and 56 minutes, it took me longer to watch as I was dependent on English subtitles to understand the German dialogues.

Despite the language barrier, the movie had me glued to the screen the entire time while Hitler found himself in a different country than what he had envisioned. To add to his distress, everyone laughed at him when he introduced himself. Unable to convince people of his identity, he took shelter at a newspaper kiosk. 

He was finally discovered by TV reporter Fabian Sawatzki who was recently fired from his job. Fabian also considers himself an incredible impersonator of Hitler. In a desperate attempt to get his job back, Fabian decides to take the Führer to his boss.

The events that followed afterwards convinced me that the movie is a dark comedy filled with satire. 

Hitler was having a hard time digesting that people now take Nazism as a joke when he was presented as a "Hitler impersonator" by Fabian. Still, he became a big name in showbiz within a short span of time.

But he soon realized the temperament of the present world, and moulded his speeches according to the demands of the 21st century, and started presenting his bizarre ideas of dominating the new world.

While impersonating himself, Hitler criticised all other actors who tried to portray him saying that all their acts were futile compared to his grandeur. 

It was comical to watch the audiences reactions too, as they took him to be an actor dedicated to bringing the character to life. 

In the grip of fame, Hitler wrote a book which became a bestseller. He becomes a role model in Germany. This is when things start spinning out of control. 

An elderly citizen who recognised him warned that this is exactly what happened years ago; people laughed at him in the beginning, then worshipped him - bringing forth grim consequences.

On the other hand, Hitler develops the belief that his resurrection was destiny so he could make Germany great again.

By the time Fabian realises his mistake of promoting the real Hitler the Führer is already invincible. 

Starting as mere fiction, the movie ends in a very serious note reminding us that it was the people who chose him as their leader with 43.9 percent votes in a democratic election. It is not possible to just wipe him out as he lives in the spirit of every citizen. 

By the end the audience finds Fabian in an asylum for protesting against Hitler, who, on the other hand, waves to his admirers and followers from the back of a sedan with plans to conquer the world again. 

What I did not expect was such an ambiguous ending for  a movie I perceived as a comedy. 

Look Who's Back left me grappling with questions about our own democratic decisions and choices. For me, it was a movie too dark to digest.