Dutch writer/director Alex Van Warmerdam does his STRANGER THAN FICTION bit (both films arrived at about the same time) with the story of a loser, 50-year old waiter Edgar (Alex Van Warmerdam himself).  Edgar gets to meet his writer, Herman (Mark Rietman) in an attempt to live out a better existence.  Fact or fiction?  Could it be closer to real life with many believers asking their God to etch out better lives for them?

OBER runs as a tragic comedy.  Tragic for the reason that Edgar the waiter is always abused at the restaurant – be it by nasty customers or by his lazy co-worker, Walter (Jaap Spijkers) or at home by his nasty neighbours.  He has an ailing wife and a mistress, Victoria (Ariane Schluter) he barely tolerates.  Odd thing is that Edgar is not that nice a chap either.  He mistreats Victoria and ignores his wife.  Funny in that Edgar woos a girlfriend, Stella (Lyne Renee) who turns out to be the wife of his co-worker – courtesy of his writer.  Though Warmerdam’s film offers no real message or insight on the meaning of life, his film makes keen observations on the behaviour of people.  The film’s funniest part is the bow and arrow scene.  The film grows more wicked as Edgar sinks into deeper waters.

OBER gives a new meaning to the writers’ line that his or her character has taken a life on his own.  Inventive, funny and amusing OBER turns out to be sweet entertainment.