"Looping" is a German movie from 2016 and it has been almost exactly a year as of today that it got released. It was the first full feature film for writer and director Leonie Krippendorff after some short films. She got Jella Haase to star in this 95-minute drama movie and Haase proves once again that she is among the very best from her age group right now, especially when it comes to playing considerably younger characters. Here she plays a troubled young woman who ends up psychiatric clinic and after a night of horror she decides that only professionals can help her get her life back on course. So far so good. But then it turns into a big mess. Doctors are missing as much in this film as nurses, advisers or anybody else from the staff. Instead, the film focuses on two other inmates and her relationship with the protagonist. It quickly turns into a relatively pointless lesbian drama and I thought both Sellem's and Cooper's characters add almost nothing in terms of story-telling. The film also comes really short in terms of a character study involving the 2 I just mentioned as well as in terms of the atmospheric impact it is trying to make so desperately, especially towards the ending. Thanks to Haase's performance, this film is not as bad as Krippendorff's other film from 2016, but it is at least as forgettable I would say. Other than the lead performance, there is really nothing in here worth seeing. Given the fact that we see Haase topless on several occasions, it becomes obvious how close this project must have been to her heart and how important it must have felt to her. That's why it is really especially disappointing that the film will be considered one of her weakest movies at this point, even if it is not her fault at all. The moment the character enters the hospital is basically when you can turn it off. Not recommended.
4 Reviews
From Norway - 10 points !
i-spookie21 August 2017
There was 1 review of this film that was rather biased. So I'll write nr.2.
I loved it. Looping delivers on all points of the specter. All theactors did a great job portraying what it is to live in turmoil, and the three women where well laid out without clobbering the spectator todeath with over-explanations. Kippendorff, who wrote it, also directed it, and she does know what she is talking about - plain for anyone tosee ! Each of the women, from Leila to Frenja to Ann, also understood their roles in this film. And not one of them missed a beat ! Great photography, great musical score. Like with any film about marginality,I found it hard to watch at times, but there was a positivity throughout that liviated the bad. And, to me, that is great film-making. From Norway - 10 points !
I loved it. Looping delivers on all points of the specter. All theactors did a great job portraying what it is to live in turmoil, and the three women where well laid out without clobbering the spectator todeath with over-explanations. Kippendorff, who wrote it, also directed it, and she does know what she is talking about - plain for anyone tosee ! Each of the women, from Leila to Frenja to Ann, also understood their roles in this film. And not one of them missed a beat ! Great photography, great musical score. Like with any film about marginality,I found it hard to watch at times, but there was a positivity throughout that liviated the bad. And, to me, that is great film-making. From Norway - 10 points !
A film that uncovers relatable things.. life as we speak
writersmorgue7 December 2022
This movie was a good viewing for sure, a movie I'm thrilled I saw at least once. It's title "Looping" is fitting, given that these three women are in psychiatric help because of their looped, mundane (and, or) tragic state and cycle of their lives. The movie was filmed in aspect of the characters, leaving viewers to piece together their stories without so much literal explanation from the characters. Now, that can be a good or bad thing depending on a few things; plot direction, your enjoyment and capability of picking up body language, expressions and words that come off quite aloof or too alluding for a clear explanation (you may assume). However, I tend to enjoy these type of movies as it feels like developing a real and raw understanding of a character. There seems to be a question of direction in life, brought up between the three women. Their issues are generally relatable, as well as the bonds formed, consisting of platonic and romantic elements. There was one scene where I couldn't quite understand what was happening, and some things seemed to go amiss as the aim for this film was on other things, directors choice. But to a keen observer, there is much to uncover here.
Wonderful little surprise
hupshtar-674-80999327 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I was not expecting much with the gloomy atmosphere. Boring was the word that came to mind but I was pleasantly surprised.
Basically it's the story of three women who create a bond that helps them recover. It's about mental breakdown, about hospitalization and its therapeutic value as a safe haven, about friendship and support.
I thought the acting was very good, the story was captivating and interesting although some things were left vague, maybe on purpose.
The fact that you hardly see the staff at the psychiatric facility is not a problem since the focus is on the special bond between the women.
Definitely worth a watch.
Basically it's the story of three women who create a bond that helps them recover. It's about mental breakdown, about hospitalization and its therapeutic value as a safe haven, about friendship and support.
I thought the acting was very good, the story was captivating and interesting although some things were left vague, maybe on purpose.
The fact that you hardly see the staff at the psychiatric facility is not a problem since the focus is on the special bond between the women.
Definitely worth a watch.
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