helgaakberg79 Reviews

The Reader (2008)

Extraordinary adaptation of Bernhard Schlink's masterpiece (one of my favorite books)

[10/10 · 12 December 2009]

Delightful David Kross, stunning... no, STUNNING Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, solid and elegant as usual. Though filled with beautiful and tasteful images of sexuality, "The Reader" is really about feelings of guilt and shame. For most of his movie director wants us to identify with Michael, innocent who is also guilty. Michael is ashamed of associating with Hanna and also intensely ashamed of his shame. Director repeatedly makes his point that guilty are also innocent and innocent are also guilty. During trial Hanna is so ashamed of being illiterate that she accepts life sentence. And Michael is so ashamed of his relationship with her that he does not inform court that she is illiterate, that she could not have written that document she is charged with. Because of his inaction Michael is then overcome with guilt for not having helped Hanna, who is now both perpetrator and victim. Mainly because Michael did not provide evidence that would have shortened her prison term and did not give her support that might have avoided her suicide. Hanna is also victimized by other defendants during trial. Michael then tries to do right by flying to New York to visit surviving daughter of one of Hannah's victims played by fabulously convincing Lena Olin. He asks her to take Hannah's money or at least give advice about how to use it but daughter refuses. She harshly rejects any involvement in Hannah's affairs not allowing even little forgiveness. I found interesting Hanna's poverty compared to riches of Olin's character's New York apartment. But there is no mention of it in Schlink's book... My guess is that director was trying to stir guilt in his audience. Perhaps he was trying to turn our sympathy from daughter encouraging us to be more forgiving of Hanna than daughter was. Bottom line? As soon as you want to condemn someone you must face your own moral relativity.

Autumn Ball (2007)

Real achievement by Estonian director!

[10/10 · 11 December 2009]

My absolutely favorite Estonian film today and ever! It's about happiness and love (characters live life without love, very depressing and empty life). "Sügisball" is based on beautiful book by Mati Unt. Director said this film is for people with gentle soul and weak liver. Characters in this film are so real, they give foreign viewer very good idea about Estonia in post-Soviet timing. Beautiful music score, 10 star cinematography, final results strong and sophisticated. Best of all characters is probably architect Maurer (and not because I like him!) But all others are also deep and well-designed. May be director can be called Estonian Altman? I think so.

Magnus (2007)

Worse than mediocre, not to mention huge ethical issues.

[1/10 · 11 December 2009]

I have serious ethical issues with director Kadri Kõusaar and Mr Laisk and I 100% agree with Estonian court's decision about invasion of privacy. Yet I was ready to give "Magnus" a try. But this movie is so bad that I am sure nobody would ever care talking about it if director didn't make a bad choice to pick real father of poor boy that committed suicide to play role of father in her movie. During only one screening "Magnus" got in Estonia (me and 3 friends attended) most people in theatre walked out after 20-30 minutes. Main problems (aside ethical) why I really did not like it - young pop star with no acting experience who played Magnus role was extremely unconvincing. Other actors - ever poorer performances. Photography - particularly monotonous with moments of pure lethargy. Now I can definitely say that "Magnus" is worst Estonian movie I have ever seen. All my friends and family in Estonia also give this movie not more than 1-2 stars. I am 30 years old, I am Estonian and this year I study for my Masters degree in USA. If you are looking for some good films by Estonian directors try "Sügisball" (it means Autumn Ball), director Veiko Õunpuu. Also try see "Klass", director Ilmar Raag.  It is drama film about young people and very depressing (you will cry 100%) but is real work of art unlike "Magnus".