Bambieffekten (2011) User Reviews

it takes courage to tackle a theme like this

[wrv-16858 · 6/10 · 4 April 2018]

'Bambieffekten' (Norwegian for 'the Bambi effect') is a pretty depressing film about two adolescent girls wanting to end their lives - for different reasons.

Fot this they join in a luxury holiday-house at a Norwegian fjord, filming each other in their common last days. And having some adventures in the process.

So far Bambieffekten's story. Its picturing is made by the girl's filming: non-professional, restlessly bumping & shocking around, only providing limited views. One surely feels that this film could have turned out much better with a more balanced picturing.

Is there anything positive about 'Bambieffekten'? Yes: its acting is convincing, and the viewer is treated with some lovely Norwegian fjord-landscapes. Further there also must be praise & respect for tackling such a rare and unpopular theme as the planning of a double suicide.

It is hardly surprising that 'Bambieffekten' failed commercially. Although the film has its flaws, it is nevertheless remarkable for its decently executed choice of theme.

Found footage of serious content

[OJT · 7/10 · 24 June 2012]

The Bambi Effect is unfolding as a found footage on a camcorder. Two young girls in the prime of their twenties has gotten acquainted on internet, and is planning to commit suicide together. We see them go on their final trip to a cabin out in the southern most part of Norway, planning to drown themselves.

The stories about their lives reveal itself while the girls keep the camcorder taping, but things don't work out as easily as they planned. They are surprised by three boys in the next cabin, inviting them for a party...

The Bambi Effect is experimental, but functions well. We're drawn into their stories, and still there's so much which isn't told. You tend to get annoyed by the fact that we don't get to know more along the way, but at the end of the film your fulfilled by the fact that this is in fact what happens in most cases. You'll never know all the truth. It's just what you get to know.

The actors, which are all well known Norwegian actors are doing a great job with this material under direction of Øystein Stene. Victoria Winge and Juliua Schacht is both great, as well as Knut Joner, Kristoffer Joner, Kim S. Falck-Jørgensen and Ane Dahl Torp as the shopkeeper.

Bambieffekten is about life, and fragments of life, and is asking the big questions. I don't think, though, I'd make the film end like it does, if it was me making this movie, which failed at the box office, I'm afraid to say.