History YMMV / TheLivesOfOthers

* AwardSnub: Ulrich Mühe was snubbed as a rare foreign language performer for Best Actor.

*** [[https://www.bpb.de/themen/deutschlandarchiv/74952/das-leben-der-anderen-wieslers-verweigerung/ According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education]] however, the plot is not as unrealistic as one might think, as there were '''eight''' officers on record that did similar rebellions.

*** According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education however, the plot is not as unrealistic as one might think, as there were '''eight''' agents on record that did similar rebellions.

** In the former Eastern Block countries, it is usually mocked for the whole plot hinging on having a remorseful Stasi agent. Considering ''not a single one'' of them ever apologised or even came clear about their job, many ended up disillusioned with such highly-acclaimed film running entirely on "unrealistic idealism", finding the premise to go way beyond WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.

** In the former Eastern Block countries, it is usually mocked for the whole plot hinging on having a remorseful Stasi agent. Considering ''not a single one'' of them ever apologised or even came clear about their job, many ended up calling the film out on its naivety and "unrealistic idealism", finding the premise to go way beyond WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.

* HypeBacklash: Inevitably got some when it upset the massively popular ''Film/PansLabyrinth'' for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, getting more attention towards some of its arguable flaws. While the film was always highly praised for its historical and political-thriller elements, some critics were less convinced by the human side of the story, finding some of the the character's motivations and the more emotional/tearjerking scenes contrived and/or unconvincing.

** A meta-example: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck wrote the part of Wiesler ''specifically'' for Ulrich Mühe. Mühe passed away shortly after the film was released.

* HypeBacklash: Inevitably got some when it upset the massively popular ''Film/PansLabyrinth'' for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, getting more attention towards some of it's arguable flaws. While the film was always highly praised for it's historical and political-thriller elements, some critics were less convinced by the human side of the story, finding some of the the character's motivations and the more emotional/tearjerking scenes contrived and/or unconvincing.

* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments: The jokes about Erich Honecker, the General Secretary of East Germany, are inherently funny, especially if you're from the East or knowledgeable of life there.

** A meta-example: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck wrote the part of Wiesler ''specifically'' for Ulrich Mühe. Mühe passed away shortly after the film was released.

* FunnyMoments: The jokes about Erich Honecker, the General Secretary of East Germany, are inherently funny, especially if you're from the East or knowledgeable of life there.

* HypeBacklash: Inevitably got some when it upset the massively popular Pan's Labyrinth for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, getting more attention towards some of it's arguable flaws. While the film was always highly praised for it's historical and political-thriller elements, some critics were less convinced by the human side of the story, finding some of the the character's motivations and the more emotional/tearjerking scenes contrived and/or unconvincing.

-->[[spoiler: '''Bookstore cashier''': Would you like it [the book] giftwrapped?]]
-->[[spoiler: '''Wiesler''': No, it's for me.]]

* AcademyAward: Some filmgoers were puzzled about how the film beat ''Film/PansLabyrinth'' for Best Foreign Language Film. After seeing the former, they understood.

* HypeBacklash: Inevitably got some when it upset the massively popular Pan's Labyrinth for the Best Foreign Language Film oscar, getting more attention towards some of it's arguable flaws. While the film was always highly praised for it's historical and political-thriller elements, some critics were less convinced by the human side of the story, finding some of the the character's motivations and the more emotional/tearjerking scenes contrived and/or unconvincing.

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: The jokes about Erich Honecker, the General Secretary of East Germany, are inherently funny, especially if you're from the East or knowledgeable of life there.

-->[[spoiler: '''Wiesler''': No, it's for me.]]

* TearJerker: Many moments, especially [[spoiler:Christa-Maria's death]]. Also, the softspoken ending often has people blubbering.

* FridgeBrilliance:
** Dreyman says "my place is safe" to Paul in the park. Sure, he didn't know it, but Wiesler was the one keeping it safe.
** Look carefully at the young man handing Wiesler the earpiece saying "the Wall has fallen." It's the same guy who told the joke in the canteen.
** In Dreyman's play, at the very beginning, Christa-Maria's character says, "Why am I not spared these visions?" This could reference any number of things that happen in the film, but considering it cuts to Wiesler immediately after, it could be a reference to his being conflicted between protecting Dreyman and fulfilling his duty to the Stasi.

* CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming: [[spoiler:"To HGW XX/7, with gratitude".]]

** In Dreymann's play, at the very beginning, Christa-Maria's character says, "Why am I not spared these visions?" This could reference any number of things that happen in the film, but considering it cuts to Wiesler immediately after, it could be a reference to his being conflicted between protecting Dreymann and fulfilling his duty to the Stasi.

--->[[spoiler: '''Bookstore cashier''': Would you like it [the book] giftwrapped?]]
--->[[spoiler: '''Wiesler''': No, it's for me.]]

* CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming - [[spoiler:"To HGW XX/7, with gratitude".]]
* TearJerker - many moments, especially [[spoiler:Christa-Maria's death]].
** The softspoken ending usually has people blubbering.