Jenny (Hannah Herzsprung) is doing time in a women's prison in Luckau, Germany for a violent murder. She's got a talent though when it comes to playing the piano and that brings her into contact with older piano teacher Traude (Monica Bleibtreu), a Prussian woman with secrets who has been teaching jailbird inmates since the War.

Traude can see that Jenny has talent - she was once a child prodigy - but it's going to be a rocky road to bring that skill out again, and quite another thing again for Traude to take her protege to the big competition outside of the prison where participants are subject to the most exacting of judges.

Four Minutes, winner of two German Lolas (like Baftas) for Best Film and Best Actress (Monica Bleibtreu), has echoes of the film Shine (1996) in the central relationship of disciplined mentor driving a punishing schedule for the troubled student.

The film is strongest early on. The characters are not entirely sympathetic, they don't have to be, but you go with them. You watch with a sense of appreciation as the girl struggles and the bond between teacher and pupil grows.

The ending is another story. It's on weaker ground when it comes to the piano-playing finale where an ultra-modern and outlandish performance is not that believable. It's a pity, because up until this point the film doesn't get many things wrong.