Even without a keen knowledge of the German film industry, the subtle wit and delicate satire of Andreas Dresen’s tale of an alcoholic actor working extra hard for his pay check when a producer double casts his role will be instantly recognizable. Delving into universal themes of mortality, aging, regret, and loneliness, Dresen’s bittersweet comedy-drama is more polished than his earlier work, like [Cloud 9], which dealt in the gritty realism of the day-to-day. Otto and Arno have each been cast in film within the film “Tango for Three,” and both are faced with the same quandary: Inspire the competition to greatness and lose his screen time. But it is Otto that has the most to lose. An unseen producer cracks the whip and is perpetually obeyed, while the cast and crew engage in all manner of romantic shenanigans. [Whisky with Vodka] is great cinema about cinema, and at the same time a rich character study of a man riddled by vulnerability.