It's All About Love (2003)

Director:

Thomas Vinterberg

Writers:

Mogens Rukov (writer)
Thomas Vinterberg (writer)

Release Date:

10 January 2003 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Romance | Sci-Fi

Plot:

It's All About Love is the story of two lovers and their attempts to save their relationship in a near-future world on the brink of cosmic collapse...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Plane | Ice Skating | Hotel | Snow

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix	...	John
Claire Danes	...	Elena
Sean Penn	...	Marciello
Douglas Henshall	...	Michael
Alun Armstrong	...	David
Margo Martindale	...	Betsy
Mark Strong	...	Arthur
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Mr. Morrison
Harry Ditson	...	George
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Night Porter
Teddy Kempner	...	Brooklyn Receptionist
Indra Ové	...	Production Assistant (as Indra Ove)
Georgi Staykov	...	Bookish Interpreter (as Giorgi Staykov)
Anna Wallander	...	Young Interpreter
Mariann Rudberg	...	Old Interpreter

MPAA:

Rated R for a scene of strong violence, some language and sexuality.

Runtime:

UK:104 min | Argentina:105 min

Country:

USA | Japan | Sweden | UK | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:M18 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

CoBo Fonds

Trivia:

Thomas Vinterberg took two and a half years to write the script.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: Right at the beginning at the airport the boom operator holding the boom mic is reflected in the glass.

Quotes:

John: There's a dead man in front of us.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in It's All About Love... og Thomas Vinterberg (2003) (TV)

What about those flying Ugandans?

I don't think I really spoil the film, considering the flying Ugandans are my only direct reference. But just in case...

My comments are more general and hopefully helpful if you're thinking about seeing the film. If you're looking for fast-paced action, this is too leisurely and curious a pace. If you're not in the mood to be intrigued without explanation, then save this one for when you are! I don't know you, so I don't know if you'll like it! I can't even say (for myself) but to have you read my thoughts... I think I liked it.

What got me here, writing to you, is those darned flying Ugandans! Being just a tad OCD, I couldn't not read all the comments in hopes of finding some kind of insight on this film and it's peculiar end image....

I do recommend you read the director's explanation of this film at www.cinema.com (Also quoted in one of the comments.) This is a helpful view to keep in mind! I can't say I'm a film buff nor am I as well-read as some of the others who've commented. Just as well, here's my 2¢...

THE ACCENT: As far as I understand, the characters portrayed by Phoenix and Danes are supposed to be Polish. The accent thing is mildly annoying. Only that it caused some struggle in me to understand if the characters were Polish, Russian or Americanized Polish, etc.

THE ACTING: Moderate. Difficult to accuse the actors, script, director, etc. It seems to vary with how it's received. And given the bizarre nature of the film, no one character struck me as having been BADLY acted.

VISUAL ART: Definitely! Beautiful and well crafted. Tone, rhythm, perspective, harmony... Very detailed and constructive.

DIALOGUE: I tend to agree that the dialogue was weak. Mostly because I felt I had to focus so much and barely comprehend! What intrigued me most was how much attention I'd compelled in hopes of discovering... something!

FIGURE SKATING: I'm a fan. But the entourage is exaggerated. It is an international sport. And it doesn't seem to really be of consequence whether or not it's ever going to be that big of a sport! It's just the way the movie goes. So go with it! Otherwise, the lack of athleticism displayed or "who'd ever care about figure skating" will really get you going!

GENRE: Certainly, I found myself trying to fit the film, as it unfolded, into a genre I already understood. And I was thwarted at every turn! It seemed a journey that was purely in my mind as well as an emotional exploratory. And I think the idea of printing a dream fits best.

MY THOUGHTS: This film really gets under your skin, yea or nay! Whether you hate it or love it or somewhere in between, that fact that you've gone so far as to read this comment already invokes some kind of meaning. (Providing you've also seen it!) I saw this last night on the Sundance channel. I'd like to see it again to find my opinion. But for now, it seems the most settling explanation is that I've just viewed someone else's dream.

Dreams often don't make sense to the dreamer, but do have some kind of plot as you are dreaming it! No character is immutable. So the weakness of character may be just that... an ever-changing character to suit the moment? And dreams are often of the subconscious and/or unconscious. Things we have a opinion, concern or feelings about but not yet thought-out. So the anachronistic view feels like fragments of ideas trying to become something effable.

I like that it is provoking... thoughts, emotions, etc. Definitely an interesting topic of conversation on many levels. What you think, feel and say are personally revealing, if you explore it like a dream. And fun to share, especially about those silly scenes and the ideas that just can't be helped.... The best part is how heartily I can laugh at the silly scenes and the collective "WHAT?" that we all share. I feel the need to know! So, those discontinuous points and lapse in plausibility or plain nonsense did bug me. WHY? WHY? WHY? But again, as a dream, I guess we should be asking ourselves why we have these questions, eh?

All in all, I can't say I'm coming up with much I didn't like. It was darned weird! But I didn't feel like it was a waste of time. I could have switched the channel or turned it off, but didn't. The weirdness level was entertaining in itself! Like enjoying your own dream then finding disappointment that you've awaken, ...just because! And reading about it was even more fun! The best part is all the intrigue about those flying Ugandans!!! I'll buy it as a dream. If anyone has insights about the flying Ugandans, please feel free to share!

But based in reality, I can't help but wonder why the laws of gravity only affect the people of Uganda and not the objects and animals. Why the Ugandans? Where were the Chinese folks in the world of 2021? What happens when the never-landing plane flies over this selective zero-g area? Every other nonsensical is quite viable in dream-state. But those (tethered) flying Ugandans...what does that mean?@!#@# Freud? Jung? Anyone?

How about: Inability to see the global impact via prevention of floating or flying in dream-state? ...Or those wanting to see truth but are somehow tied to a fictitious or contrived alternate reality? Or perhaps, it's the "exit button" in the dream-state? Any takers? =o)

I give it 7 out of 10 because I liked it more than I disliked it. A curious nature will tend to like it. If you want an explanation or simple summary you'll likely NOT like it!