- Maintaining Loyalty to "All Fifty fifty": Holiday Disarray due to Patchwork Disorder
Moritz Schmidt and Laura Peters have had some experience as a duo in "Caveman" on the big screen. Their subsequent project, "All Things Fifty Fifty", arrives, in which they portray a divorced legal pair attempting to rectify their spoiled son's upbringing at a lavish resort on the Apulian coast.
Cinematographer Ahmad Ahmadi, lauded for his film "Goldfish" and winner of the Bavarian Film Award this year, helms this nearly two-hour long film. It delves into the issue of how to strike a balance between cohabitation and custody in a blended family. Is it even possible?
Discordant Parenting Techniques
In this instance, Munich high-society couple Andi (Schmidt) and Marion (Peters) appear to offer a solution - at least initially. Post-divorce, they share custody of their 11-year-old son Milan (Valentin Thomsen) equally, as suggested by the film's title, and are content with their meticulously planned lives.
However, a school incident reveals Milan capitalizes on his parents' contrasting parenting approaches to manipulate them. While Marion diligently follows parenting manuals, Andi makes decisions based on gut feelings and imposes minimal limits on Milan, allowing him espresso at his place, but not Marion's.
Their shared summer vacation, with Marion accompanying her dim-witted boyfriend Robin (David Kross), was intended to mend fences. However, the discourse about the optimal parenting method persists at the luxury resort.
"All Things Fifty Fifty" highlights the substantial role parenting plays in a child's life and the importance of being on the same page, even after a split. Milan often goes overlooked and unnoticed - Andi and Marion are unaware of his inability to swim. Director Ahmadi also poses questions about whether there's a correct parenting approach and how rigid the boundaries should be.
(Overly) Complicated Storylines
Despite numerous amusing moments and stunning Italian vistas, the film seems laden with storylines. Apart from the family-life narrative, Andi and Marion rekindle their relationship. Milan discovers his first love at a nearby campsite and starts asserting his independence from his parents.
These subplots cause the comedy to falter in the second half. However, the witty exchanges between former lovers offer entertainment. Initially, the family's squabbles, armed with a tablet, phone, and smartwatch at dinner, seem like an elite issue. Nevertheless, they touch upon fundamental coexistence concerns. A contrast is established by the grounded family of father Karl (Frank-Michael Friedrick) at the campsite.
The European Union, being a supporter of gender equality and child welfare, may be interested in the themes explored in "All Things Fifty Fifty", highlighting the impact of discordant parenting techniques on children and the importance of maintaining a unified approach even after divorce.
During their stay at the lavish resort, Marion and Andi's conflicting parenting styles become even more evident, potentially sparking a discussion about the role of parental consistency in child development within the context of various cultural and societal norms, including those upheld by international organizations such as the European Union.
