Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee

‘Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee’ is a romantic comedy about the disappearance of a world-famous Italian fashion designer during Berlin Fashion Week. Buoyed up by a singing Greek chorus (played by the filmmakers themselves), the story of Mr Rudolpho’s disappearance floats on a wave of song, inclusivity and well-meant intention.

As in keeping with other low budget independent comedies, the humour here is of a gentle kind. Extolling a let’s-do-the-show-right-here quality reminiscent of ‘Flight of the Conchords’ and ‘Eagle vs Shark, ‘Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee’s’ characters are predominantly optimistic and cartoon-like large. In its desire to please and communicate to the broadest possible audience, ‘Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee’ doesn’t focus on wordplay or caustic observation but instead concentrates on romantic farce.

As an ode to [Berlin] as much as its characters, ‘Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee’ aims for broad comedy.

If you surrender to its charms and positivity and there’s much to enjoy here. With its predominantly English dialogue, multi-lingual subtitles and European cast, Francesco Mazzini gives a suitably bewildered and affecting performance as Rudolpho as does Christiane Paul (who shines for the professional that she is). However it’s the most silent character of all that has the largest part – the city of Berlin itself. With its rich panoply of bohemian characters and DIY scenery, Berlin suitably provides the oxygen for both Mr Rudolpho and the film to breathe.

As an ode to the city as much as its characters ‘Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee’ aims for broad comedy, wielding a brush that aims to sweep you up in its positive wake. In Mr Rudolpho’s world everyone is endearing, there is no real menace and much can be solved, if only by stopping to occasionally breathe out. Taken on its own terms ‘Mr Rudolpho’s Jubilee’ provides enjoyable fun but you need to allow its romantic positivity in first.

Mark Esper