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peter_marklund
Reviews
Lilja 4-ever (2002)
Lukas Moodysson 4-Ever
Being a man never felt as bad as when I was walking out from the Dagmar cinema in Copenhagen having seen Lilja 4-Ever - the celebrated third movie by swedish director Lukas Moodysson. My expectations for the movie were set quite high and I was not disappointed. Lilja 4-Ever is a an amazingly authentic and chilly masterpiece quite unlike Moodysson's previous work (Fucking Åmal aka Show Me Love, and Together). The movie is about child prostitution, about friendship and loneliness, hope and disillusionment, trust and distrust.
The excellent choice of topic aside, what makes this movie stand out from any other movie I've seen (including many Dogma movies) is that it seems to have no color, no bias, it is so naked, so transparent and minimalist, exposing an aspect of reality in its full awfulness, but doing so in a stronger way than a documentary would. The movie itself is never in the foreground, it's even like the movie didn't exist. This is an amazing achievement by Moodysson.
Lilja 4-Ever made me realize how pathetic my own little problems are. It reminded that friendship is what really matters. It made me wonder if I couldn't somehow help people who are suffering like Lilja.
In the Bedroom (2001)
brilliant
I think the movie is excellent in every respect that I can think of. Especially the acting, the cinematography and the suspense were at outstanding levels. I found every scene enjoyable and very real and the movie had me hooked until the end. The movie reminds me of "The Deep End", "Fargo" and "Happiness". This is a must see masterpiece! It touched me very deeply.
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
the movie killed me - my all time favorite
I can maybe understand why some people dislike the movie. It can make you feel quite uneasy (the ending is just horrible, almost unbearable). Some critic said that the movie is "emotional pornography" and I must say that this description is not completely off. No movie has *ever* stirred up so strong emotions in me as "Dancing in the Dark". I was crying after I had seen it. I was even in the mood of the film when I woke up the morning after, almost crying. Still I went to see it three times. The second time I went to see it I was afraid, because I knew that I was in for another emotional roller coaster. It's a shame that Bjork doesn't act more often (though I am sure she will act again). Her acting performance was one of the best I have ever seen. I also love the music. I really connected so strongly with Selma, and this is probably the reason the movie killed me. I treasure this movie.
Ghost World (2001)
I loved it! Don't miss strikingly similar movie - "Fucking Amal"
I completely adore this movie! I had great laughs throughout the movie, and on the whole the movie was very uplifting for me. I guess, the ending, as someone pointed out, might feel unsatisfying at first. The nice thing about the ending though is that it is open to interpretation and it was very symbolic and beautiful. Apart from being funny the movie of course contains a host of interesting themes to discuss, teenage alienation in particular.
What I wanted to point out in this review was that if you liked this movie you should go check out a strikingly similar movie called "Fucking Amal". That is a swedish movie that I am particularly proud of referring you too, being a Swede myself :-) I think both movies are superb! Fucking Amal probably wins (I think) on realism and it touched me on a deeper level. Check out the similarities though. Two teenage girls who are best friends (in Fucking Amal they were sisters), one of them is very alineated, the alienated girl starts forbidden romantic relationship. The ending of the movies are very different though. I shouldn't give away more than that :-)
Fucking Åmål (1998)
A masterpiece - one of my all time favorites
This an adorable movie! I love movies that are able to portray people in a realistic way and yet (or maybe because of this) be utterly magical. If you liked Fucking Amal you should go check out a strikingly similar movie called "Ghost World". Both movies are great, Fucking Amal probably being my favorite.
Sous le sable (2000)
realistic, but magical - a masterpiece
I don't quite understand comments about the movie being slow. To me it was quite unpredictable and it maintained suspense throughout. The acting was very good and what struck me the most was how the movie was able to strike a realistic balance in everything, that was almost eerie. Indeed that is what made the movie so convincing to me. What also fascinates me is that even though the movie was realistic it was magical . I guess the real world is a magical place :-)
Bottom line: go see it!