Clemens Trunschka is not doing so well. With spotty employment and a shaky marriage, he’s pretty much lost any claim to being a “functional alcoholic.” The more accurate term for him would probably be “lousy drunk.” So when an opportunity arises to help a German company recruit an American candidate as its CEO, Trunschka seizes the chance to get back in the black—with both his finances and his family.

Showing a deftness for handling such emotional material, writer/director Bastian Günther expands Trunschka’s headhunting expedition into a captivating and subtle examination of failure. He’s aided by lead actor Ulrich Tukur, who delivers a fearless portrayal of a man searching for new ways to hit bottom as he flings himself down the slopes of self-loathing with all the gusto of a certain cartoon coyote. Houston dives unflinchingly deep into the heart of Texas and comes up with something as surprising as it is precious: hope. - J. K.