87
Metascore
17 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100San Francisco ChronicleBob StraussSan Francisco ChronicleBob StraussIt’s an ode to the satisfactions of facing life head-on with whatever time you have left. And writer-director Maria Sødahl semi-autobiographical drama earns every iota of its hard-won uplift.
- 91The Film StageJared MobarakThe Film StageJared MobarakUnconcerned with happy or sad endings (or endings at all beyond the desire for one to be shared and enjoyed to its fullest), [Sødahl] focuses instead on the unbridled emotions that swirl within us on the difficult journeys through tragedy. Nothing is out of bounds.
- 90Screen DailyStephen WhittyScreen DailyStephen WhittyA warm gathering of Scandinavian artists, with Sweden’s Skarsgård and Norway’s Hovig both excelling under Norwegian director Maria Sødahl’s attentive care.
- 90VarietyJay WeissbergVarietyJay WeissbergSødahl’s skill at making gesture and its absence count in the most subtle ways is an essential component in our investment with these protagonists, thanks to the superbly understated camerawork of Lars von Trier’s regular DP Manuel Alberto Claro.
- 88Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreBræin Hovig and Skarsgård take us into their confidence as they make these choices, decisions, promises and compromises. The wonder of Hope is how much of that they do without dialogue, just with a look, a gesture, a silent scream of despair or teeth grinding in resignation.
- 88The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzDirector Maria Sodahl tracks the couple’s story over the course of only one Christmas break, but the film is more a chronicle of one family’s entire existence. Skarsgard, by the way, is typically excellent – it’s just that he mostly, and graciously, cedes the screen to Hovig, who is given much more to do and handles it with aplomb.
- 80Film ThreatHunter LanierFilm ThreatHunter LanierThere’s much to like about Hope, but it’s the honesty I liked best.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyIt's the integrity of the performances by Hovig and Skarsgard that keeps the classy drama so engrossing, with the director making neither character entirely saint or sinner but giving them both infinite shadings in between.
- 75SlashfilmJason GorberSlashfilmJason GorberThanks to some fantastic performances and a patient, well-crafted script, this is a film that should find international audiences interested in some truly adult storytelling. There’s enough originality and sophistication here that an English language redux wouldn’t be unheard of, making one hope that any translation maintains the craft and elegance of Sødahl’s presentation.
- 75Slant MagazineDerek SmithSlant MagazineDerek SmithMaria Sødahl’s considers the extreme emotions provoked by a medical emergency with an impressive force of clarity.