There are no new horizons in this film. Yes, there are quite a few perhaps talented young fellows who have a difficulty to adapt to mature life, to get a job, to get a stable relationship and financial independence. Hasn't everyone? But there is a novelty: a middle-aged mum comes out of the closet and declares her lesbian preference. Hang on, though: could you imagine a dad coming out of the closet? Probably, but then the emphasis of the film would have been very different. I mean, I'm somewhat suspicious about this lesbian line: isn't it just another sexy (literally and figuratively speaking), saucy attraction, added to too many recent productions to mention just for its own sake? Hardly anyone, presumably, would be as curious to watch middle-aged or old men engaged in gay sex. Not so with women. Likewise, I've never been to Reykjavik, but I'm stunned to discover the apparently large number of lesbian or bi-sexual girls in its pubs. The asymmetry with homosexual men is obvious.
So I have my doubts about this film's realism, or more exactly, its cynical exploitation of basic instincts. The film pretends to be a comedy. But it fails. As far as I'm concerned, there's just one genuinely funny moment - the scene with the parking inspector. All the rest are only *supposed* to be funny. A positive point, however, is that they are not tasteless. If it's a failed comedy, does it deliver a message? Hardly. Except possibly one: Hlynur eventually finds the job. That could be a serious message, if Hlynur were described as a rebel at the beginning. Which he isn't. Hence the film doesn't aspire to be anything but a comedy, and in that department it fails, I believe.
Now, you might think that such a mediocre film should have poor acting. You are wrong! Oddly enough, the acting is of very good quality. Guonason (the young waster Hlynur) is perfect, entirely natural, and other leading actors are quite decent too. I'm no great fan of Victoria Abril, Hlynur's mum's feisty young lesbian lover, but she does a good job too. To sum up: watch this film after a busy day and go to bed.
So I have my doubts about this film's realism, or more exactly, its cynical exploitation of basic instincts. The film pretends to be a comedy. But it fails. As far as I'm concerned, there's just one genuinely funny moment - the scene with the parking inspector. All the rest are only *supposed* to be funny. A positive point, however, is that they are not tasteless. If it's a failed comedy, does it deliver a message? Hardly. Except possibly one: Hlynur eventually finds the job. That could be a serious message, if Hlynur were described as a rebel at the beginning. Which he isn't. Hence the film doesn't aspire to be anything but a comedy, and in that department it fails, I believe.
Now, you might think that such a mediocre film should have poor acting. You are wrong! Oddly enough, the acting is of very good quality. Guonason (the young waster Hlynur) is perfect, entirely natural, and other leading actors are quite decent too. I'm no great fan of Victoria Abril, Hlynur's mum's feisty young lesbian lover, but she does a good job too. To sum up: watch this film after a busy day and go to bed.