Bettis Bescherung (2006)

Betti’s entire Christmas plan is thrown into disarray when her boyfriend, Rolf, announces that he “has to” spend the holidays with his wife. The trip she had planned with her friend falls through too, because Ellen has once again met the man of her dreams and is now going away with him. Instead, Betti has to look after Ellen’s little dog, which has nothing better to do than chase the rabbit around the apartment. Neighbor Sven had entrusted the rabbit to her until Christmas Eve so his young son wouldn’t discover his Christmas present ahead of time. When it turns out that Sven’s wife is allergic to animal hair, Betti has no choice but to take the rabbit back into her care. The dog and rabbit have gotten along well in the meantime, but during their chase in the bathroom, the washing-machine hose came loose and broke off completely without anyone noticing. By the time Betti discovers the disaster, the fire department is already at her door, having been called by her neighbor Karl. The firefighters advise the retiree to stay in a hotel because the water damage has made his apartment uninhabitable, but Betti asks him to come stay with her. The two very different residents of the building must therefore learn to get along and spend Christmas Eve together. Karl somewhat regrets not being forty years younger, so he takes on the role of protector and helps Betti see how messed up her life is. In his opinion, Rolf will never leave his family, despite repeatedly claiming that he will. Since Karl still has to stay with Betti for the next few days, she takes him along to the obligatory Christmas visit to her mother’s and enjoys being mistaken for a couple. Karl also enjoys getting out among people again, even though Betti considers her mother and her brother’s wife “embarrassing.” Back home, Betti gradually comes to life, and Karl doesn’t behave like someone who is nearly eighty, either. On a whim, they fetch a Christmas tree from the street, one that someone has already thrown out of their apartment on Christmas Day. Unexpectedly, they win a four-course meal offered as a prize by a local radio station. They have no idea that it comes with a live interview with radio host Fabian Fuchs. Karl uses the opportunity to open Betti’s eyes about her boyfriend. With a few subtle insults and threats, he gets Rolf, who is listening to the broadcast, to call Betti and end their relationship on air. Although Betti is initially angry that Karl has interfered so much in her life, she is ultimately glad and grateful. She exuberantly celebrates her new freedom with Karl, but he collapses from the strain and is taken to hospital. Betti is left behind, sad and alone, but then she learns that Fabian Fuchs has fallen head over heels in love with her and is now trying to find her through the radio. She isn’t sure whether she should just drive to the radio station, but Karl encourages her, and at last Betti finds her true love.