A Little Trip to Heaven (2005)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Baltasar Kormákur

Writers:

Baltasar Kormákur (writer)
Edward Martin Weinman (co-writer)

Release Date:

26 December 2005 (Iceland)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

There is no such thing as a no fault death.

Plot:

A husband and wife tangle with an investigator over her dead brother's million-dollar insurance policy.

Plot Keywords:

Life Insurance | Car Accident | Fraud | Snow | Bathing

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Maria Fernandez Ache	...	Mrs. Rodriguez (as Maria Fernandez-Ache)
Kharl Anton Leigh	...	Young Boy Rodriguez
Peter Coyote	...	Frank
Forest Whitaker	...	Abe Holt
Juan Carlos Pardo Pardo	...	Mr. Rodriguez
Damon Younger	...	Long Haired Man
Jeremy Renner	...	Fred
Joanna Scanlan	...	Josie
Iddo Goldberg	...	Russle
Philip Jackson	...	William
Julia Stiles	...	Isold
Alfred Harmsworth	...	Thor
Vladas Bagdonas	...	Coroner
Felix Eyjólfsson	...	Auto Machanic
Margrét Ólafsdóttir	...	Elderly lady in the Park

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and disturbing images.

Runtime:

90 min (25 fps) | Canada:98 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Iceland | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Finland:K-15 | Norway:15 | USA:R | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | UK:15 (2007) | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Hastings, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Blueeyes Productions

Filmed In Iceland, This Is Intriguing, But Ending Hurts It

This was an intriguing, although not satisfying,, movie and one I still felt was worth my few bucks I paid to rent it.

It was filmed in Iceland - one of the few films I've heard of with that locale - but the story in the film takes place somewhere in Midwestern America. I knew that going in, so it made it kind of strange to view, in that respect. However, the story seemed very realistic. In parts, it almost felt like a documentary, it was so real and atmospheric.

However, as much as I enjoyed the movie, and particularly Forest Whitaker with his odd accent, the ending was a big disappointment. The film had so much promise up until then.

Some people say this film had the feel of a Coen Brothers movie, and I agree with that. To some, this might also have been a bit slow or boring but I thought it had unique atmosphere to it. With a more satisfying ending, I would have bought the DVD and watched it several more times.