As a Swede I often avoid seeing movies made by Swedes. Because usually Swedish filmmakers cant refrain from copycatting old, boring and uninspiring Hollywood clichés. But this time thanks to a friend of mine I was taken on a beautiful voyage. A voyage of softly sweet, madly charming romance. If I wanted any movie from Sweden that is made after the year 2000 be shown worldwide this would be a perfect candidate. This movie is poetic in its scene/location selections as well as in its storyline. The beat is slow but ever so captivating. It enchants the viewer right from the start, making you sadly wanting to remember or forget your own past, just to relive what seems so familiar and nicely put in the movie about love, desire and hope.
10 Reviews
Nice
benjaminmyklebust23 August 2006
This movie is nice. I'll still save stronger words for other occasions.
I saw this movie at the Malmö Festival in Malmö Sweden. I was sitting at home, and I was getting bored, and had a look at what was happening - and I saw this film on the program. It was free, and I didn't have anything to lose (except I got wet from the South Swedish rain on my way there).
First, a positive surprise was that Joachim Hedén himself was there, and he introduced the movie with very few words, maybe he thought there were more like me - who didn't really know what they were about to see, and he wanted to keep the virginal feeling.
I was positively surprised: The movie had a simple story that was beautifully told, without Hollywood clichés, with sometimes surprising lines - "you don't say that in American romantic movies".
Some times I feel like familiar faces on the screen subtracts from the movie. The character is brand new to you - so why shouldn't the faces be? Personally I enjoy watching movies with actors I have seen nowhere before, and these have a very short track record. Any insufficiencies they may have in terms of inexperience is made up with this, IMO.
What strikes me the most about this movie though, is its very close resemblance to "Before Sunrise" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112471/) with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy: Boy meets girl for one single day. However, the basic setting for the movie is different, and it does take some different turns, maybe a little bit more complex story. But the scenes, the mood and the style of the movie are extremely similar. Nevertheless, if you like "Before Sunrise" you'll like this one.
I saw this movie at the Malmö Festival in Malmö Sweden. I was sitting at home, and I was getting bored, and had a look at what was happening - and I saw this film on the program. It was free, and I didn't have anything to lose (except I got wet from the South Swedish rain on my way there).
First, a positive surprise was that Joachim Hedén himself was there, and he introduced the movie with very few words, maybe he thought there were more like me - who didn't really know what they were about to see, and he wanted to keep the virginal feeling.
I was positively surprised: The movie had a simple story that was beautifully told, without Hollywood clichés, with sometimes surprising lines - "you don't say that in American romantic movies".
Some times I feel like familiar faces on the screen subtracts from the movie. The character is brand new to you - so why shouldn't the faces be? Personally I enjoy watching movies with actors I have seen nowhere before, and these have a very short track record. Any insufficiencies they may have in terms of inexperience is made up with this, IMO.
What strikes me the most about this movie though, is its very close resemblance to "Before Sunrise" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112471/) with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy: Boy meets girl for one single day. However, the basic setting for the movie is different, and it does take some different turns, maybe a little bit more complex story. But the scenes, the mood and the style of the movie are extremely similar. Nevertheless, if you like "Before Sunrise" you'll like this one.
like before sunrise in new york
f_u_twat1 November 2006
This romantic film, tells the stories of a 20-something man & woman. First, Sydney, who is waiting for his free spirited ex-girlfiend to meet him and he hopes, rekindle the flame which he still pines for. Second, Amy, who has broken up from her loveless, self obsessed boyfriend. Thirdly, the story of Amy and Sydney when the pair meet by chance and agree to spend the day together in each other's company enjoying NY in the Summer.
The camera focuses on the dialogue between Amy and Sydney. There is judicious use of inter-dialogue landscape shots and a folksy musical score. The conservations are not as intellectually stimulating or abstract as in Linklater's "Before Sunrise" nevertheless, the feelings of loss, love & hope don't just simmer under the surface, they burst out towards the end.
The camera focuses on the dialogue between Amy and Sydney. There is judicious use of inter-dialogue landscape shots and a folksy musical score. The conservations are not as intellectually stimulating or abstract as in Linklater's "Before Sunrise" nevertheless, the feelings of loss, love & hope don't just simmer under the surface, they burst out towards the end.
Unconventional and Beautiful Romance
mccaskill1 May 2006
I saw a screening of New York Waiting at the Tribeca Film Festival, and I was completely captivated by the film. Director Joachim Hedén tells a romantic love story absent of cliché plot turns typically found in American films. His characters are charming, his story poetic, and as an audience we're given the opportunity to respond emotionally to his film without being manipulated into a prescribed reaction. He uses the camera with conscious restraint and places a strong emphasis on dialogue, reminiscent of Richard Linklater's Before Sunset. Hedén's choice of music adds a wonderful texture to the film, and I hope that New York Waiting is picked up by a distributor and shown to larger audiences. Many people should see this lovely film. Bravo and well done.
awful film
paulk3643730 April 2006
I just saw this at the Tribeca Film Festival. It was awful. I will elaborate but it was just awful in every way. The characters were shallow to the extreme. Found out nothing about them and could care less. It was interesting in the style of Bergman, ie. people talking little and lots of relationship stuff in Bergman style. Also interesting in that it tried to be the antiBergman-no despair, suicide, angst but love conquers all. (All this about Bergman because it is a Swedish film) The filmmaker was there for q and a and everybody was polite and did not criticize the movie but it was so sophomoric-could have been made by a high school film student except that high school relationships are more interesting. New York in the title but nothing about it was unique to New York. Polaroid camera cant take pics out of cars and you cannot get film for old, or new, Polaroid cameras any more. Sent an e-mail that was printed out but not read? The main character has a retarded emotional IQ.
A brave production that paid off
mcravener20 November 2006
The cast was well-composed, consisting of talented new faces, the acting bravely filmed at close range, especially considering the (I'm sure) extremely restricted time allocated to make this film for $500,000. Some pans, cuts and single camera shots didn't work out, but the all-out intimacy of the close-ups paid off, and the acting made the movie.
And yes although the picture does have a scenario similar to Richard Linklaters, New York Waiting is not as glib. Paradoxically by providing the viewer with little biographical background on the characters Sidney, Amy and Coreen, their longing and sometimes misdirected need came sharper into focus than "Before Sunrise", and was in its nakedness more akin to Michael Schaeffer's "Fall" (1997).
Finally, an accolade for the original choices made in the soundtrack, which smoothly meshed with the film.
And yes although the picture does have a scenario similar to Richard Linklaters, New York Waiting is not as glib. Paradoxically by providing the viewer with little biographical background on the characters Sidney, Amy and Coreen, their longing and sometimes misdirected need came sharper into focus than "Before Sunrise", and was in its nakedness more akin to Michael Schaeffer's "Fall" (1997).
Finally, an accolade for the original choices made in the soundtrack, which smoothly meshed with the film.
Straight to video, in spite of the ladybugs
richard_sleboe2 November 2007
Take dialog twice as pathetic and predictable as real-life conversations. Add a plot vaguely reminiscent of, but infinitely less inspired than "Before Sunrise"/"After Sunset". Pimp colors and yank contrast for that coveted karaoke video clip look. Throw in random flashbacks, rendered in black and white lest we miss the fact they are flashbacks. Carefully scrap the screenplay of motivation until even the director can't seem to remember why Amy (Annie Woods) stays with her cheating schmuck of a boyfriend, and why Sid (Chris Stewart) cannot forget his lifeless spoilsport of an ex. What you get is "New York Waiting", easily this season's least inspired romantic comedy. And yes, I have seen them all. I believe this one went straight to DVD. Rightly so. It's the kind of movie that sounds like a great idea over the seventh beer and usually doesn't get made. For a reason. Spare no expense to avoid.
Saw it and Loved it!
creedsucksass14 May 2006
I saw this film at the Tribecca Film Festival. It was a great movie. None of the typical Hollywood clichés, or endings. It was thoughtful and beautifully shot. The flashback scenes in black and white were perfect. The soundtrack was phenomenal and i hope it get released as well. The acting was superb. The three leads were amazing. I especially liked the acting of Katrina Nelson! She is someone to watch out for. The director really loves NYC. The shots he used to portray the city were perfectly placed in the film. Even though the director is not from NYC, it really appears that he loves the city. I am a huge fan of movies that don't follow the typical Hollywood pattern, and this one did not follow the typical Hollywood pattern. I can't wait to see more from Hedem and the cast.
Boring, boring, boring
andydreads27 March 2008
This is a super slow badly acted (Amy) version of Before sunset, I would watch something else unless you have no choice. Watched an hour of it and then after waiting for some dialogue, decided to just call it a day and go to bed. Hopefully this will counteract the other rating which really paints this movie in a better light than what it warrants. There are some nice scenes of New York (presume it New York) but that does not make this film worthy of an hour and a half of your time. I am struggling to write 10 lines about this movie and that what is necessary for this review to qualify. I like the way that when making reference to things that have happened in the past the movie reverts to greyscale, really as if we are that stupid that we need this cue to realise, LOL
Saw it at Tribeca and absolutely loved it...........
edwardprc2 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I love this film and I am hoping it gets a wide release. For anyone who loved Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, I highly recommend this film. If any of the cast and crew read this, I want to thank all of you. I'm an aspiring writer who has been in a funk lately, and this movie has brought me so much inspiration. This film has convinced me to finally go to film school and chase after my dreams.
Writer/Director Joachim Hedén's script has a lot of strong dialog-driven scenes and the performances were great. Chris Stewart carried the lead role very well in a confident yet subtle performance. Annie Woods was utterly charming and adorable, while the seductive Katrina Nelson provided surprising depth to her character.
The cinematography was amazing, highlighted by a very creative pool and rainstorm scene. The music was incredible, and I am dying to know some of the songs that were used, especially the ones in the trailer.
My only disappointment was that I didn't get to meet any of the cast members. I wish everyone who was involved in the film all the luck in their future projects.
Writer/Director Joachim Hedén's script has a lot of strong dialog-driven scenes and the performances were great. Chris Stewart carried the lead role very well in a confident yet subtle performance. Annie Woods was utterly charming and adorable, while the seductive Katrina Nelson provided surprising depth to her character.
The cinematography was amazing, highlighted by a very creative pool and rainstorm scene. The music was incredible, and I am dying to know some of the songs that were used, especially the ones in the trailer.
My only disappointment was that I didn't get to meet any of the cast members. I wish everyone who was involved in the film all the luck in their future projects.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
