Rosa's story is in general remarkable enough to transcend these difficulties, and certainly to do a valuable job in correcting some of the more facile assumptions we may have made about a most extraordinary woman.

It is a performance of tremendous integrity by Barbara Sukowa but directors cannot bore audiences into submission. That is culpable alienation.

The strength and success of the film is the central portrait: Barbara Sukowa convincingly develops the character.

Its defects, however, are outweighed by a performance of intelligence and depth by Barbara Sukowa in the title role.