Although Germany has been a unified democracy since 1990, its eastern sector was a Soviet satellite from the end of World War II through the 1980s — and home to a repressive totalitarian government that used the Stasi, the secret police, to control its citizens. The terrific, incisive drama "The Lives of Others" — an exceptional first feature by screenwriter/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck — shows the horrors, hysteria and tragedy of life in communist East Germany, circa 1984, through the machinations of dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler.

Certain that everyone has something to hide, Wiesler (the outstanding Ulrich Mühe) spies on acclaimed East Berlin dramatist Georg Dreyman and the playwright's leading lady and lover, Christa. Dreyman (a stalwart Sebastian Koch) is idealistic and well respected; Christa (Martina Gedeck, in a compelling performance that's a world away from her lead role in the romantic comedy "Mostly Martha") is a popular actress. They've done nothing to merit Stasi attention, but Weisler, whose entire being is wrapped up in his job and his allegiance to the state, isn't convinced of their loyalty. Meanwhile, a powerful politician in the ministry of culture covets Christa, and when she resists his advances, he pressures Weisler to find dirt on Dreyman. As Weisler gets deeper into his investigation, his fascination with the couple grows and begins to exact a toll on all involved in the case.