101 Rejkyavik (18) |
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. Rating: 6.5. |