Wanted (1999)

The film is about Thomas Reiter, a trauma surgeon who retreats into a fantasy world where anything is possible after the death of a young patient, for which he feels responsible. In his imagination, he is a cowboy in the Wild West, where the lines between good and evil are still clear and life is uncomplicated. There, he rides across the prairie as an outlaw, rescues women from their brutal husbands, robs banks, and enjoys himself. His parents are worried about him and his career, so they abduct Hermann, Thomas’s former childhood friend, to ask him for help. Hermann is now a priest, though not entirely happy with his situation, and has never forgiven Thomas for accidentally hitting him once at school. But Thomas’s resolute parents will not take no for an answer, so Hermann visits the doctor, who has voluntarily admitted himself to a psychiatric institution to escape reality. He is not the only one there with problems. Alongside the ordinary patients, whose conditions range from manic depression and autism to identity repression, the psychologist shows massive signs of repressed memories and pronounced compulsiveness. Thomas explains to Hermann why he feels freer and more alive in his fantasy world. Hermann does not understand his “delusions,” since Thomas is a doctor and ought to be rational and know that accidents can happen. The sadistic head of the clinic, who makes no secret of his affair with a young woman and runs flirtatiously through the corridors with her, has Thomas discharged against his will. However, Thomas still cannot cope with the complexity of everyday life and returns to the institution a short time later. After Hermann and Thomas make several trips together to the Wild West, the priest, also overwhelmed by his everyday life at the church—with its sexual abstinence and nerve-racking confirmation groups—becomes increasingly drawn to the lure of imagination. On the day of the confirmation ceremony, he loses his will to live, walks stoically into his room in the rectory, and kills himself. Thomas hears about it and leaves the institution. An attendant accompanies him to the gate. When he looks back, he sees Thomas and Hermann’s apparently lifeless body riding away on two horses. He sends the pursuers, who have appeared out of nowhere, in the wrong direction, then stands there smiling and closes his eyes. In Thomas’s imagination, Hermann awakens and rides with him into the sunset.