Die Beunruhigung (1982)

Inge Herold is in her late thirties, divorced, lives in Berlin, and works as a psychologist at a family and marriage counseling center. She lives with her 15-year-old son, Mike, and is having an affair with Joachim, who is married and whom Mike dislikes. One day, Inge discovers a lump in her breast. She has an initial examination. A little later, at work, she learns that she has to go to the hospital. There, she is told that the growth is to be surgically removed the next day. If it proves to be benign, that will be the end of the treatment. But if it turns out to be malignant cancer, Inge’s breast will have to be removed. At first, Inge is distraught, but she pulls herself together. She goes to Joachim’s workplace and asks him to come over that evening. At home, she finds Mike with numerous friends in his room, playing loud music. Inge throws the friends out and turns off the music. When Mike criticizes her, she slaps him. Mike leaves. Inge visits her mother. Their relationship is distant, and they do not have much to say to each other. Inge does not want to live according to her mother’s expectations. When Inge hints that she has to go to the hospital the next day, her mother thinks she is pregnant. Inge asks her to look after Mike while she is in the hospital. She leaves, telling her only that she is not pregnant. She does not even mention the hospital, since she does not want her mother to visit her. Inge passes the time in a café and eventually visits Judge Katharina Weber, who was in the same high-school graduating class as Inge. Katharina has followed a straightforward path. She is successful in her career, shares the housework with her husband, has two children, and owns a car. Inge suggests holding a class reunion, and Katharina promises to come if she can find the time. She gives Inge the address of Dieter Schramm, Inge’s first love, who was also in their class. In the late afternoon, Inge meets Brigitte. Katharina had once broken off contact with Brigitte after Brigitte’s parents fled to the West. Inge, however, has remained friends with her. Brigitte lives alone, is successful in her career, and pushes thoughts about her life in old age out of her mind. She can no longer imagine living with anyone. The two go to a theater canteen and talk about their lives. Brigitte says that as long as she does not get sick, she can keep living as she has been. Only then does Inge confess that she has to go to the hospital. Before things turn sentimental, Inge says goodbye, and Brigitte promises to call her. Inge then visits Dieter Schramm, who comes home a while later with his young daughter Susanne. He has been divorced for a short time and is happy to see Inge again. She suggests a class reunion, saying she wants to see what the others have made of themselves and their lives. She tells him nothing about her illness, but asks what he would do if he had only a short time left to live. He admits that he would cling to life, because only people who have lived happily are ready to die young. She admits that she has done too little foolishness in her life. At home, Inge prepares a festive dinner for her son and Joachim. She puts on heavy makeup, dresses up a little, and waits in vain for a long time. Mike comes home, and Inge realizes he is in love. She is happy for him and casually tells him that she will be in the hospital for a week. It is nothing serious, though. Mike realizes that she is waiting for Joachim and suggests calling him, but Inge refuses. She waits for him all night in vain. He turns up in the early morning, just before work and an hour before Inge has to go to the hospital. He admits that he was at a party the previous evening and could not get away any sooner. She tells him that she is going to the hospital shortly. He is to accompany her, since the doctors will tell only the accompanying person the truth about her health. Some time later, the treatment is over. Inge now only has to go in for follow-up examinations at longer intervals, but she is always anxious about the results. By now, she is living with Dieter Schramm, who helps ease her fear of the follow-up examinations. When she has to go to the hospital again, he promises to pick her up afterward.