DVD Review: In The Aisles

From the film’s opening moments in a giant grocery store after hours (set to Strauss’ “The Blue Danube”), In The Aisles has a strange and delightful beauty. It stars Franz Rogowski (Transit) as Christian, a quiet man who works stocking beverages during the night shift; Peter Kurth as Bruno, the man who trains him; and Sandra Hüller (Brownian Movement) as Marion, an attractive, but apparently troubled co-worker. In The Aisles follows Christian from his first day on the job, when he is outfitted with a blue jacket and equipped with a box cutter, and is soon putting crates onto shelves. Soon too he spies Marion working in the store’s next section.

Once the store is closed to customers, a man in the office acts as a disc jockey, playing classical music and announcing over the intercom, “Welcome to the night, colleagues.” And indeed, night at this store is its own world, with its own citizens, alliances and conflicts, even its own way of celebrating holidays. Bruno tells Christian early in the film: “We don’t get along so well with Canned Goods. With Sweets, we’re fine.” There is trouble between some departments regarding the use of forklifts. Being allowed to drive such a machine is almost an honor in this world. The employees have to prove themselves worthy, even having to pass a class on forklift use and safety. And when one is granted that honor, he is applauded by the others.

Most of the film takes place in this nighttime world. It is more than fifteen minutes into the movie before we are allowed anywhere else. The first other location the film takes us is Christian’s apartment, and it is then and there that he finally speaks at any length, and that is to us, in voice over. “There was no daylight in the aisles,” he tells us. Interestingly, it seems equally dark in his home. It is also interesting that at first the voice over is only presented at the end of a work day, that it is then that he offers his thoughts on this world. It gives us the sense that while at work, he is too focused on the job to address us. At least, at first. But soon Marion becomes his focus, though it is a while before he really speaks to her. It is she who approaches him initially, asking to join him in a coffee from the machine. While they drink coffee, he sees from her name tag that she is Sweet Goods (naturally).

There is some wonderful humor to this film, like the instructional video Christian has to watch on operating a forklift safely. Think of those graphic driver’s education films back in the day. And the courtship between Christian and Marion is adorable. Though soon Christian learns some things that may put a halt to that. And one day Marion begins ignoring him, and soon thereafter disappears.

The film is beautifully shot, and it is the cinematography as much as the performances that draws us in and endears the place to us. Because the world of the store is so clearly and fully realized, it is rather jarring when something disrupts it, as when two people from Christian’s past enter the store, giving us a glimpse of his life before this job. They so clearly do not belong, and Christian immediately goes about clearing away the evidence that they were present at all. And one night after work, when Bruno invites Christian home for a drink, we learn a little more of Christian’s past. But this stuff almost doesn’t matter to us. It is Christian’s present that we are caught up in. It is the quiet world of the store and its inhabitants that ends up meaning so much to us.

Special Features

The DVD contains a few special features, including an interview with Franz Rogowski about his character. He talks about how he was thrilled at how few lines the character had when he was first reading the script, but then how weird it was at times having entire shooting days without a line to deliver. He mentions how the film was shot at an actual store at night once it closed, and how that worked so well for him getting into character. He also talks about the story, the director’s style, and the other cast members. The interview is approximately thirteen minutes and is conducted in English. There is also a short piece on Franz Rogowski receiving a European Shooting Stars Award.

Also included is footage from The Berlin International Film Festival, including a press conference featuring the film’s producers, director and cast members. The press conference is conducted largely in German, with English translation presented in voice over, though some questions are asked in English. The actors are asked about learning to drive a forklift, and the humor of the film is discussed. This feature is approximately twenty-seven minutes. The film’s trailer is also included.

In The Aisles was directed by Thomas Stuber, and was released on DVD on September 17, 2019 through Music Box Films. It is presented in its original German, with optional English subtitles.