totallyandrea

Norway's first official Dogma film begins with a Norwegian family - plus their Polish inlaws getting ready to spend a traditional Christmas together in a mountain cabin. But the tension between them begins to develop almost as soon as they arrive in the cramped cabin with the kerosene stove breaking down, one grandchild suffering an asthma attack, one of the daughters bursting into tears over the break-up of a relationship, another confiding that she has just had a miscarriage and the alcoholic father already nipping into the vodka. As the night draws on real feelings are revealed.

Cliched? Yes!

Good Film? So - So

Watchable? For Some

If you get bored so easily this is not a film for you. But I manage to sit through this horrible yet interesting film about a family celebrating Christmas in a small cabin ended up nearly killing each other.

The story is confusing, compare that to the irritating movement of the camera. I know! I know! It's a Dogma film but it's not a film that will turn up great when you film it Dogma style. It's set on probably the smallest cabin in Norway with the whole family (mum, dad, 3 grown up kids(?) with their husband/ wife/ children and two inlaws.....and dont forget about the dog!)

5 / 10

The story evolves around Alfonso who signs on at a seedy tabloid newspaper, where he is assigned the police round. His initial horror at his colleagues' practices, both professional and personal, diminishes as he discovers their endearing and even admirable qualities. He develops a fondness for his boss which gradually blinds him to the squalor and amorality of tabloid journalism, until events provide a rude reminder.

This film gives you an insight of the real world and journalism. The actors are all great in their own ways especially Giovanni Ciccia who plays the lead character of Alfonso. He's very convincing, starting off as a humble, sensitive man and turning more like his boss, Faundez, played by the fantastic Gianfranco Brero. His quick tongue rude remarks usually with the word "f**k" are the funniest moments in the film.

Highly Recommended. This film deserves an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film...It's a pity it didn't even get nominated!

8 / 10

It's a film that you have to watch again and again to understand it. It's a black comedy about a man who get easily irritated by small things.

I love the scene where he's walking in this small street and he sees the same sticker in every walls and doors and gets violent and ended up tearing off one of them off.

Ulrich Tukur is a brilliant actor, totally convincing and no one could've done it better than him. I'd love to see more of his work!

It's not your typical film. It's very witty, smart and yet unusual. I was asking myself why the characters barely talk.

6.5 / 10