| Landscape as Character |
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| written by talltale |
May 31, 2004 - 2:08 PM PDT |
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5 out of 5 members found this review helpful
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| Though I've only seen two other Icelandic movies, I was impressed with their bleak landscape, and I am even more so after seeing 101 REYKJAVIK. It makes one realize just how much landscape can affect character. Spanish actress Victoria Abril does a nice turn here as the flamenco teacher, and the lead actor Hilmir Snaer Gudnason (not a name that rolls right off most Americans' tongues) is unusually good. He makes you understand and come to like his character despite some pretty glaring flaws. His voice-over description of his community, while he observes the denizens of a local bar, is priceless--insightfully written and beautifully filmed. Iceland must be a particularly difficult place to come to grips with. The fact that the lead character manages to do so, as, I assume, do most of Iceland's population--while its filmmakers create movies as good, interesting and different as this one--should be taken as a positive sign. Further thoughts: We happened to watch this one the day after seeing last year's Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film, NOWHERE IN AFRICA. Going from Africa in the 40s to present-day Iceland, and experiencing such a range of locales, people, ideas and emotions made me realize all over again why I love good foreign films. They offer travel, education and more--on an affordable budget. |
| Ennui in Iceland |
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| written by petroglyf |
May 13, 2004 - 10:49 PM PDT |
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3 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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Upon reaching 30, the main character, a bored underachiever living off his mom and welfare, is shaken out of a stupor by the arrival of a flamenco teacher who's come to stay with them for a while.
An expert in hiding from responsability in the stifling welfare paradise, where frigid daily life is only spiced by drunken parties at night, real life is finally catching up with him, with comic results. A black comedy from the descendants of the vikings. |
| Iceland Defrosted, with Shades of Almodovar |
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| written by underdog |
May 5, 2003 - 6:06 PM PDT |
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17 out of 17 members found this review helpful
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An often hilarious comedy which proves there's more to Iceland than Bjork, volcanos and glaciers, this farcical romantic story is like a colorful Pedro Almodovar story with a touch of Scandinavian blue. That's partially because spicy Almodovar veteran actress Victoria Abril co-stars, but also because of the wacky plot elements and entaglements and sexy scenes. The hardest thing to deal with in the film is how frustratingly pathetic the main character is -- he's still likeable throughout, even when behaving badly, but is such a slacker for much of it you may get irritated. But it all comes out in a satisfying, but uncontrived way which will have you forgiving him, and the film, for any flaws. It's beautifully shot, in a way which will make you feel the frigid chill in the air and the sweaty heat in the homes and nightclubs. A real sleeper.
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