Based on the comics The Most Desired Man and Pretty Baby, the film centres on the hapless Axel (Til Schweiger), who is made homeless by his girlfriend Doro (Katja Riemann) after she catches him two-timing her. None of Axel’s former flames can (or want) to let him stay with them, so in desperation he ends up accepting Walter’s offer of digs.

Walter (Rufus Beck), who’s gay, is in seventh heaven at being presented with such a Prince Charming on a plate and can’t wait for ‘lights out’. But Axel cools his ardour by moving in with the more reserved Norbert (Joachim Kroll), who plays the seduction game with more subtlety.

A light-hearted comedy with more than a passing nod to Feydeau, Der Bewegte Mann was one of the most successful films ever released in Germany, and plans are already underway for an American remake.

Director: Sonke Wortmann.
Germany, 1994.
Subtitled.
94 mins.