Attention, class. Today we shall discuss movies about couples breaking up. In Hollywood, they always end happily. In real life, however, there’s much less certainty that things will work out.

That’s why I liked “Everyone Else,” the sophomore feature by 34-year-old German director Maren Ade. A happy ending? Well, maybe — and maybe not. Just like in life.

A young couple — tall, lean architect Chris (Lars Eidinger) and earthy rock publicist Gitti (Birgit Minichmayr, of “The White Ribbon”) — take a holiday at his parents’ villa in Sardinia.

The sun is shining, but storm clouds form as Chris and Gitti’s relationship starts to unravel. Nothing major, you understand, just a collection of little things.

“I hate you sometimes,” she says. “I didn’t ask you,” he replies. Does that sound like a happy relationship?

The situation only worsens with the arrival on the scene of a seemingly more-together couple.

“Everyone Else,” which screened at the 2009 New York Film Festival, recalls movies by Frenchman Philippe Garrell.

The well-acted, pleasantly lensed drama doesn’t recall Hollywood’s generic approach to fragile couples, and that’s just fine with me.