This film is only vindicated by those souls who stumble upon it because of Carmen Kass' billing. Truth be told, this film was somewhat entertaining. Was it a good film? Not really. Perhaps in intention, but not in execution. It is true that the city scape in which it was shot was quite beautiful, and some shots were reasonably decent, but for the most part, the acting was pretty terrible (although if you are a Kass fan you probably wouldn't care) and the plot was contrived at best. Positive things about the film include...potential? Perhaps if the characters were a bit more explored the film might be more engaging. As it was it felt like one giant cut scene to some interactive "whodunit" computer game. Carmen's acting wasn't as notoriously bad as I've heard, but then again she really wasn't required to do much; stand and look pensive (surprise, surprise). She may have potential in other films and make a decent transition into acting like other models before her (i.e. Diane Kruger, Famke Janssen), but really who knows. Although something I would like to know is if anyone from Estonia had an opinion on the film. Kass is relatively obscure to the mainstream here in the U.S. but perhaps she is popular in Estonia? As such, Set Point might have been an actual theatrical release in her native country and not an independent film as I might have presumed. If that is the case than I feel really sorry for those who actually paid to see this film in public.
10 Reviews
it was not horrible...it was terrible.
mosquitto15 January 2007
Ed Wood was a brilliant filmmaker compared to the guy who directed this one. An absolute failure in every aspect of film-making. It felt like even all the actors had no idea what's the story about and how they ended up being part of it. It contained the most ridiculously filmed car chase ever. The aimless panning shots after scene by scene the creeping and crawling behind the windows, curtains and whatnot was the worst camera-work I've ever seen. Carmen Kass singing opera was just priceless. I feel bad for her that she was asked to take her clothes off for no apparent reason but at the same time it was the only scene worth to look at.
Oh my god.
inztance3 August 2005
This has got to be one of the worst and most ridiculous movies I have seen in a long time. To describe it shortly, this movie wanted to be a "thriller" with "interesting" turns and twists - spiced up with a little love theme (the girl was played by Carmen Kass - a supermodel showing breasts in one scene - I think that was her best acting in this movie), two gangsters, a hilarious car-chase and a club scene with drugs. The story evolved randomly with no point, dialog between the actors was so fake that even good actors seemed really bad. Other than that, this movie is a great laugh, to see that you can build up a local box office hit from a disastrous story, acting and musical score only by using a worldwide known supermodel, with no acting skills, as the main character in the movie.
PS! If you want to see Carmen Kass singing opera, then this is your chance. Once in a lifetime experience.
without question 1 out of 10.
PS! If you want to see Carmen Kass singing opera, then this is your chance. Once in a lifetime experience.
without question 1 out of 10.
Unforgivable mess
vandre-9284327 December 2018
I loved this movie
montasse1 March 2007
I loved this movie! It brings up female issues in a changing society where girls dream about getting rich but they end up in a golden cage. I thought the performances were subdued and realistic, and the movie was beautifully shot. The old Gothic city of Tallinn looked mysterious and enchanting. The movie deals with issues of a new country in the European Union which we know so little about. The same old human issues and problems hide under the new, fashionable facade. The audience loved in the cinema where I saw it. Peter Frnazen is an excellent actor and Carmen Kass looked even better than in the posters. I would have preferred a little faster pacing but I understand that all the Nordic movies are slower than most. I recommend it to everyone who would like to see something different.
A stylish whodunit in an exotic Gothic town
martawashington1 March 2007
i found the movie suspenseful and interesting.Nobody is what they seem to be and it has a surprise ending. I found it an unusual 'whodunit' movie, but it deals also with social and gender issues. I found both female characters compelling with great performances.
It looks very exotic, the Gothic atmosphere of Tallinn makes you want to jump on a plane and fly over there. I especially liked the scene in which a husband and a wife are having an argument across the car window and the seemingly endless cobblestone streets.
I would have liked to know more of the back story to get to know the characters ever better.All in all it was an interesting journey, and the movie had a very elegant style.
It looks very exotic, the Gothic atmosphere of Tallinn makes you want to jump on a plane and fly over there. I especially liked the scene in which a husband and a wife are having an argument across the car window and the seemingly endless cobblestone streets.
I would have liked to know more of the back story to get to know the characters ever better.All in all it was an interesting journey, and the movie had a very elegant style.
interesting thriller in new Europe
dalepelton-12 March 2007
In the guise of a thriller, an interesting landscape of psychological conflict is revealed. A young girl, psychologically abused by her wealthy patron doesn't know of any other life. Another woman, trapped in her marriage to a rogue cop, is plotting her escape. "Set Point" captures the new wave of Estonian women, upwardly mobile, impassioned with luxury and fashion, in an existential tone, the camera focusing on details in rooms empty and soulless in the Gothic city of Tallin. The film would have benefited if the cinematographer had created a film noir effect, a city painted with sinister light.
The director has effectively created a claustrophobic world, a reflection of the characters who are trapped in the fantasies of their own creation. The renown Estonian model, Carmen Kass, in the role of Alice, is convincing in her fresh interpretation of the kept girl---a girl who for the first time, is discovering love.
The director has effectively created a claustrophobic world, a reflection of the characters who are trapped in the fantasies of their own creation. The renown Estonian model, Carmen Kass, in the role of Alice, is convincing in her fresh interpretation of the kept girl---a girl who for the first time, is discovering love.
Beautiful post communism thriller without wining
Krischa5 March 2007
I saw Set Point at the film festival in Stockholm. I didn't know much about Estonia or Tallin at the time. Set Point set the country on the map for me.
Beautifully shot, presents the problems of post communism times without wining; we have got enough of it. But most interesting is the heroines story. It shows what womens lot still is today in marriage, relationships or society. It reminds us also of all the "agreements". How many times didn't I feel to wipe out another troglodyte. I would be sitting at first row with Jack the Ripper if I got my way. There are some clichés to find, quite unnecessary, but so what?
I appreciated the mix of old and modern, the theatrical style of it. It made the film "light", but it did put the finger on a few important problems. Some complain that Set point is cold and aloof. And how is out life in Scaninavian countries? It reminded me very much of what I see everyday in my city, in big cities all over the world. It was a nice surprise that it was not one more of the thrillers where everybody kills everybody etc etc.
Beautifully shot, presents the problems of post communism times without wining; we have got enough of it. But most interesting is the heroines story. It shows what womens lot still is today in marriage, relationships or society. It reminds us also of all the "agreements". How many times didn't I feel to wipe out another troglodyte. I would be sitting at first row with Jack the Ripper if I got my way. There are some clichés to find, quite unnecessary, but so what?
I appreciated the mix of old and modern, the theatrical style of it. It made the film "light", but it did put the finger on a few important problems. Some complain that Set point is cold and aloof. And how is out life in Scaninavian countries? It reminded me very much of what I see everyday in my city, in big cities all over the world. It was a nice surprise that it was not one more of the thrillers where everybody kills everybody etc etc.
Entertaining thriller with depth
dqfamily17 May 2007
This film is not your typical thriller, it has depth and character not often found in your generic suspense film. The acting is well done and the twists and turns will keep you guessing until the end. The characters are well developed and multidimensional. This film was highly enjoyable and makes you think.
There are many interesting themes that this film deals with, and it is able to entwine them all into a complex and powerful storyline.
The writing and directing are well done and the entire production ought to be applauded for creating such an entertaining work outside of the studio system and without anything close to the typical budget for a Hollywood film.
There are many interesting themes that this film deals with, and it is able to entwine them all into a complex and powerful storyline.
The writing and directing are well done and the entire production ought to be applauded for creating such an entertaining work outside of the studio system and without anything close to the typical budget for a Hollywood film.
Exotic Mood Piece along the lines of Wong Kar Wai
gaborski4 August 2007
Mystery, Murder, Romance, Gangsters and - Tennis. It all takes place during a long summer night in Tallinn, the northern European capital of Estonia. This quaint historical Old Town serves as a lively backdrop to a seemingly existential marital strife that spirals out of control into suspicion and jealousy, involving an array of seedy and curious characters. These disparate lives will ultimately collide, and before the night is over, someone will be dead.
The action is deliberate, the dialog is philosophical, and the visuals create a strange, almost hallucinatory dream-flow. If you are in the mood for - a unique experience in an undiscovered foreign land, this film is definitely worth the trip.
The action is deliberate, the dialog is philosophical, and the visuals create a strange, almost hallucinatory dream-flow. If you are in the mood for - a unique experience in an undiscovered foreign land, this film is definitely worth the trip.
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