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Harthacnut
Reviews
Dýrið (2021)
Impossible to connect with these people
Ok, we know, this is pure fantasy and could never happen in the real world. But people are people even in fantasy films and if we are to be carried along with the story they must at least credibly behave like people. What, no reaction of horror at the sight of the monster child? No frenzied discussions of what to do with it, hide it, Petur's unexplained change of attitude etc... I know this is Iceland, but there are other people around in that valley. And I know Icelanders might not be the most talkative of folk... but they do string more than a couple of sentences together from time to time. I also know that valley to be very beautiful, but does nearly every shot (even window reflections) have to show those same jagged peaks. I almost gave up, but pursued doggedly to the end, which dramatically brought some sort of resolution. All rather pointless though, (what was that sex scene for?) and I would not have regretted missing it. Dreadful acting from Noomi Rapace. Not all her fault, maybe it was just bad casting.
Brief Encounter (1974)
A difficult watch
Not because it's so bad, as many reviewers would have you believe. We should not compare with David Lean's masterpiece. That was a romance. It sweeps us along with period charm, superb cinematography and Rachmaninov's gushing music. This is altogether different. We are disturbed and embarrassed because that's what the "sordid affair" is! We just want the two "lovers" to stop and we hate Dr. Harvey for his selfishness. The goings on of ordinary life - the excellent soundtrack conveys this - is a jarring accompaniment and distraction. We just want the pair to blend back into it and return to their day jobs and, in the case of Anna/Laura, her family. I was glad when it was all over. Good job!