Es ist nur eine Phase, Hase (2021)

It's Just a Phase, Honeybunny (German: Es ist nur eine Phase, Hase), a 2021 German comedy-drama-romance directed by Florian Gallenberger, is a sharp yet heartfelt exploration of midlife crises, released on October 14, 2021. This 105-minute film, produced by Majestic Film, Viafilm, and ARD Degeto, stars Christoph Maria Herbst as Paul, a successful novelist, and Christiane Paul as Emilia, a sought-after voice actress, whose seemingly perfect marriage—complete with three charming kids, Bo, Marie, and Fe—unravels in their late 40s. With a 5.8/10 IMDb rating and 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a mixed bag, praised for its relatable humor but critiqued for leaning into 'clichéd German comedy tropes,' like awkward drug gags, per user reviews. The film’s charm lies in its chaotic, laugh-out-loud moments: Emilia’s impulsive one-night stand with a younger man (Jürgen Vogel as Theo) triggers her desire for a break, while Paul spirals into despair, donning a cheap toupee and popping testosterone pills from friends, including Ulrich Tukur’s quirky René. A standout scene is Paul’s cringe-inducing attempt to woo his daughter’s teacher (Jytte-Merle Böhrnsen), only to crash spectacularly at a family birthday party where tensions boil over. Enis Rotthoff’s upbeat score and Christian Rein’s vibrant Cologne cinematography amplify the midlife madness, though some reviews slam its 'predictable' arc and 'embarrassing' stoner sequence as lazy. Supporting roles by Bettina Lamprecht (Magda), Nicola Perot (Ruben), and H.P. Baxxter add quirky flair, but the film’s reliance on stereotypes, like Paul’s 'dad belly,' draws flak for wasting its stellar cast. Shot in Cologne, the film grossed $1,592,709 worldwide, reflecting modest success despite mixed reception at festivals like Zurich and Seattle. Based on works by Jochen-Martin Gutsch and Maxim Leo, it taps into Germany’s 2021 rom-com wave, echoing Toni Erdmann but lacking its depth. It’s a breezy watch for fans of Crazy, Stupid, Love or German comedies, offering a light take on aging, love, and second chances—just don’t expect profound revelations amid the toupees and tantrums.