The entire film has muted colors, with several neutral colors and washed out greens and blues, all used for a definitive reason. East Germany was practically a prison while the Berlin Wall was up, with citizens unable to leave the country and being spied on or constantly feeling like they were under surveillance. There was no freedom, only conformity to socialist government; it is for this reason that the director chose to have the film's images reflect what life was truly like during that time period. One specific color to note throughout the film is grey; Wiesler often wears the same gray coat to blend in with the mediocrity of society. But the color gray can also be seen as a moral gray area where not only are there two conflicting sides, white versus black or moral versus immoral, but the character who almost always wears gray is himself in a moral gray area grey. As Wiesler opens his mind and heart to the possibility of truly living a life and having the comfort of love, he begins to realize that constant spying and listening are not honorable actions to take, regardless of his belief in socialist system. Brilliance, or lack thereof, is also important to Wiesler's changing moral compass. Through all the