michael-sidiropoulos Reviews

War Sailor (2022)

A Tragedy with no Catharsis

[3/10 · 4 June 2023]

This is a historical war film that deals with the "small history" of Norway's involvement in WW 2. Normally I prefer movies to series but decided to watch this one because of the raving reviews. As it turned out, the cinematic qualities are of the highest order. The acting, especially the acting of the protagonist Kristoffer Joner, is just amazing. The cinematography is fine if you like small, dark spaces in candlelight.

The problem I had with the film is that it is far too depressing for me and, I believe, for many other viewers. I really do not recommend the film unless you are truly desperate to get depressed. I noticed that one of the reviewers is asking, how is it that the recognised luminaries in Hollywood can't do delivery like this anymore? I will disagree with this view. An American war film may depress you with the horrors of war but at the end will give you something back. That we sacrificed a great deal, but we won our pride and self respect. Such redemption is totally absent in the Norwegian film. You have lost everything and gained nothing. We know about the vanity of war, but we also know that war is started by non-democratic countries and is inevitable in many cases. There is great imbalance and injustice in acts of sacrifice when the sacrifice is meaningless with no reward, when the sacrifice is a tragedy with no catharsis. This is not a great film because all these negatives far outweigh the cinematic qualities.

Land of Hope (2018)

A fine work of cinematic art

[9/10 · 13 April 2023]

Anni leaves a sheltered life with her wealthy family to marry and live with Veikko in North Karelia. Veikko is an orphan, lonely, badly wounded in the war but has a good heart.

Anni's love for Veikko is tested by the harsh realities of northern living and isolation that are so new to her. The strength love against odds of survival is probably one of the messages of the film.

Having said that, I do not suggest that we need profound messages to enjoy a film. Good acting, rich cinematography, era-appropriate costumes and settings, as well as expert direction, are sufficient ingredients to create a fine work of cinematic art. These ingredients are all present in Markku Pölönen's film.

A small trivia: The Shostakovich Waltz No. 2 is heard at the wedding, indicating that this piece, written in 1938 one year before the Soviet invasion of Karelia, was a hit, at least in Finland.

The Lost Daughter (2021)

It doesn't make the point

[2 January 2022]

What is this movie about?

Certainly not about perception vs reality.

Is it about motherhood and the lack of maternal feelings?

If it is, it did not make the point.

Is there another important idea that I may have missed?

I am still thinking and I suspect, if there was, the director didn't share it with me.

Why did I watch it till the end?

For two reason: Waiting for some profound revelation at the end. And mostly for the enjoyable Olivia whom I admired in THE CROWN.

Madame Claude (2021)

What's the point?

[2/10 · 2 April 2021]

Trying to think what the point of this film is. Is it purely biographical? Probably. Are there any cinematic values? Probably not. An environment of prostitution would lend itself to some character development. There is none. Okay, there may be some other redeeming features. An interesting storyline, some surprises and plot twists. Nope. Normal acting and direction, nothing superb. This film doesn't rise above mediocrity.

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975)

Trash

[1/10 · 1 April 2021]

She waits at the bank for five minutes and we have to live the entire five minutes with her. She spends 6 minutes to make schnitzel and we witness the entire recipe from beginning to end. I guess the director wants to transport the viewer to the character's real time. Thanks, but no thanks.

European cinema is bad enough but this is european at its very worst.