'Betonrausch'/'Rising High': David Kross, Frederick Lau's partnership only saving grace in this redundant film
Spoilers for Netflix's 'Betonrausch'/'Rising High'
Viktor (David Kross) has not had an easy life. His father (Robert Schupp) has never exactly been financially comfortable — he could barely pay the fees for his school. But he has always taught him one thing — smile and the world will be his to claim.
With this confidence paired with Kross' million-dollar smile, Viktor begins with small hustles. He first begins with renting flats on a fake employment certificate to Bulgarians and making money off that. This is the beginning of his entry in Germany's real estate market.
Early on in his conning career, Viktor meets Gerry Falkland (Frederick Lau). The two quickly think of a scheme to dupe hundreds of people into buying houses that don't exist — cheating them of millions of dollars. For this, they need the help of a bank. That is how he meets Nicole Kleber (Janina Uhse), a bank employee and his future wife.
The trio builds themselves a team of trusted tricksters who help them rise up to the top. But the law is hardly far behind and it catches up on Viktor.
The German movie is told in flashbacks during Viktor's time in prison. He is being interviewed by a journalist interested in the story of his rise and fall. The questions he is asked are contemplative but rarely does Viktor show any iota of regret. As they continue rising up, drugs, prostitutes and other vices become a part of their lives — these are the very ills that will soon be leading to Viktor's fall.
As Viktor takes over the tax system that had once upon a time ruined his father, the audience is supposed to simply nod along. But here is the catch, in the real world, the system is not this loose.
There is not a moment in the movie where one can confidently claim that they have no idea where 'Betonrausch' is headed. From beginning to end, the rise and fall of a conman is documented with redundancy. The highs and lows of a trickster — from building his team, reveling in the newfound success, finding love, becoming greedier for money, a slip threatening to sabotage everything, jeopardizing his personal relationships to the ultimate arrest and even the final saving grace — is everything you have ever seen before.
At 94 minutes long, 'Betonrausch/ 'Rising High' will supply you with a formulaic product and it is only Kross and Lau's partnership that makes it worth watching. Kross' Viktor even loses his charm on the midway mark.
At the end of the movie, Viktor has nothing left to show for himself. Nicole obviously is hesitant about her daughter meeting him again, but she cannot keep her away from her father. His release from prison has rendered him penniless but not without his aforementioned million-dollar smile that still holds the power to fool people into trusting him.
'Betonrausch'/ 'Rising High' is not a story about a conman's redemption. No, there is no room for that even when he sees one of his victims across the street — perhaps his last chance to turn away. But now Viktor has nothing left to lose.
And so, he makes his way into conning the real estate market once again. Because what can a conman do better than conning others? Conning himself into thinking he will get away this time.
'Betonrausch'/ 'Rising High' is currently streaming on Netflix.
