mw0800 Reviews

Troubled Water (2008)

Deciding to sink or swim

[8/10 · 18 March 2012]

Rushing water comes at you with such force that it pushes you away from reality and forces you to try to keep your head above water. As a movie, Troubled Water did exactly that, pushed you away from reality and made you take look closer at what the real truth was. Unlike most Nordic Films this movie embodies a more western style, through a clear plot line and characters stories converging. The story line pulls you in as you see the theme of water, religion and redemption unfold.

In the beginning we are thrown to the past and watch the sad tale of a four year old boy who was kidnapped and drowned by two unknown men. It then fast forwards to the tale about one of the convicted murderers,Thomas, and his life after jail working at a church as an organist. As we see scenes of his life, we hear the story about Jesus and Peter walking on water, those who believe get redemption and those who doubt, sink. As an audience we are convicted with the idea of redemption. We see this played out when the Church not only provides a safe haven for Thomas but the chance for a new life. He finally has a chance to make something of himself, to learn from his mistakes and forget what occurred. Thomas starts a new job one he excels at and he also begins a new romantic relationship. This relationship though is seen to already have problems when it is based on lies. Another problem is this woman, the pastor, has a little boy named Jens, who freakishly resembles the little boy Thomas killed, Isak. As an audience member you try to put this aspect behind you, but the resemblance is to close to forget. You hope that this movie isn't about this and wish for a tale about redemption but that would make for a short movie. Instead Eric Poppe, the director, throws in a twist, we are once more hurdled back to the beginning when Isak is kidnapped but this time we see the story played out from the point of view of Iska's mom.

Instead of redemption you see turmoil, horror and stress. Her point of view makes you question everything that you have learned about Thomas and question if people should be allowed a second chance. As you watch the mom search for her child your palms begin to get clammy and tears well in your eyes, you are overcome with sadness when you realize just how long it has taken her to piece her life back together. The camera angles are what pulls you in, it focuses on the emotional expression of each character versus the background scenery. The theme of hardship is also seen in this segment when we see Isak's little shoes. These shoes are a reminder that whatever she does her sons memory is always with her. As we "walk" in his shoes you see the reality of losing a child especially as she floats in the pool contemplating what her life could have been. In the mom's depiction we also see the flaws of the welfare system; even though it benefits so many people it has flaws and the opportunity to cause so much emotional turmoil. These flaws are seen when Thomas is released from prison, unlike the United States a person has a shorter sentence for murder and has the opportunity to start a new life instead of living life in prison. This chance for redemption reopens the pain for Isak's mom and you are left wondering what type of punishment is really right. As we move on we are swept even further into the rushing water this time literally. The stories lines blend like two creeks merging into a rushing river. You are taken to Jens's daycare where Isak's mom kidnaps him to "save" him from Thomas. We are then taken to where the story began. Thomas and Isak's mom are fighting while Jens's tries to traverse across the river. Soon everyone is in the water trying to save Jens's as he is swept away. This part of the movie is where the camera techniques really make a difference. All we see is the rushing water and we are thrown into the rushing current and the roaring rapids. As an audience member you start to panic and you feel like you are there trying to get out of the water so you don't drown. Many thoughts run through your head, What is going to happen to Jens? Was this what Isak felt like? Should you forgive Thomas? Do murders deserve to get a second chance? If your own child were to be kidnapped do you think that you would ever be able to move on? Before you have time to answer these questions you are on shore, breathing heavy thanking God that you are alive. As each character's story ends the camera flashes to the water and we watch it move as the screen fades to black. It reminds us that no matter how hard life gets, no matter the troubles that come our way life continues, we need to believe in something greater than ourselves and we must always keep floating on. This has been by far one of the best produced Norwegian films I have ever seen. Eric Poppe pulls you in from beginning to end you are trying to get your bearings while you try and stay afloat.

Elling (2001)

Great first introduction to Norwegian Film

[8/10 · 26 February 2012]

Never having seen a Norwegian film I am happy that Elling could be the first movie I saw. From beginning to end this was a heart-warming film that forced you to look not only at the characters lives but also at your own life.

In the beginning of the film we learn that Elling is a mamma's boy who for his whole life has lived with her and would do anything for her. We also find out that she has recently died and when this happened his life fell apart and he was taken by the Norwegian government to a mental institution. At the mental institution is where the beautiful story about friendship begins. He is placed in a room with a man named Kjell, they are complete opposites; Kjell is obsessed with women, sex and food while Elling is more serious and to himself. But, like the old saying goes opposites attract and for Kjell and Elling this is exactly what happened. They are soon released from the hospital and transferred to an apartment where they are looked after by a social worker named Frank. Frank has given them one rule, to take care of themselves or be sent back to the institution. The time in the apartment is where their true friendship grows. Being forced to live on their own they realize that true friendship is being able to rely on each other and care for one another. The first act of caring for one another comes when they move their beds into one room, they decide they can't live by themselves so they rearrange the apartment. As they both settle in Kjell is faster in learning to live on his own while Elling is more reserved and can't seem to want to leave the apartment; this is seen in the tragic scene of the grocery store where Elling gets so nervous he can't go in and he has a break down outside of the store. However, as the movie goes on they each find their passion for living. Elling realizes that he loves poetry and decides to start going to poetry readings where he meets a new friend Alfonso, and it is then he realizes he has a greater purpose in life than being stuck in the apartment. Kjell falls in love with a women, Reduin, in the building and learns to work through a relationship as well as get back to his roots as a mechanic. Through the ups and downs of learning to go their own ways the viewer sees the themes of friendship, family and determination come forth in the different scenes. The idea of family comes forth during the first Christmas when Kjell builds the house and puts candy pieces as him and Elling, it also comes in the last scene as Kjell starts his family with Reduin and the new baby. The theme of friendship is at the heart of this movie, the fact that friends appear in every circumstance which teaches them that friendships are essential to ones life. Finally, determination is seen throughout the movie through building relationships, careers and most importantly taking on life's challenges and learning from them. What I love about this movie is that it teaches us that it is not to late to start living our lives the way we want to, that no matter where we are we need to hold on to our dreams and never give up on life or on our friendships. This movie was not only entertaining but inspiring. Not only did it allow the story to play out for itself and not force its themes upon the viewer, it didn't try to force the touching moments between friends nor did it try to exaggerate the reality of living with a mental disorder, it just let the story come to life on its own and play out the way that was going to be most beneficial to everyone involved. This movie showed how you can become a new person while staying true to who you are and where you came from. The characters learned that everything happens for a reason and that life passes on to new things; what they once might have thought of as bad turned out to be good and gave them a new purpose in life. Overall, the movie was a breath of fresh air from most Hollywood films produced today. It was a heartwarming story about two friends who without each other may not have been able to have a second chance at a normal life, but through friendship, courage and trust they were able to move on together and form a new life, one that made them cherish the moments that they had together as well as finding the drive to succeed in the things that they loved to do.