The Juniper Tree

Filmed in Iceland and undoubtedly an Art film I expected it to have long lingering shots and be heavier on atmosphere than plot, but at the end of the day there was so little story that it basically kept repeating itself. Nice landscape not particularly captured well. Bjork was awesome but the other sister was wooden and unimpressive. The little boy was good, the father kind of tolerable. For a Grimm's fairy tale about witches it had the feel of neither type of film. I stuck it out but it shouldn't have been an effort, and it was. Needed a better script, something fleshed out.

......which usually means that I'm going to need a second viewing to make up my mind as to whether or not I liked this film or not. I happen to have a fondness for slow paced films because a lot of times that slow pace is essential for character development and for the building of certain emotions whether it be sadness, happiness, action, scares or whatever. With "The Juniper Tree", I came away from it's slow and at times snail-like pace feeling rather empty and void of specific emotions. I don't see this as a film for everyone and I can certainly see where many will really dislike it but even though I cam away empty there is something about it that made me glad to have seen it and wanting to see it again sometime in order to see if I "get it". Now, all that being said, the film does have some good things going for it. The black and white photography and the Icelandic locations are astounding and make you feel like your in another time and place. The ambient sounds and the simple music score add to the overall feeling as well. It's a sort of brooding tale with a couple of bizarre moments but I certainly wouldn't classify it as a "horror" film or an out-and-out tale of witchcraft. It pretty much plays as a drama with some mystic overtones. The movie is probably known to some for the mere fact that it stars Bjork, and she is quite good, but there is more to it then just that. I just wish I knew what it was. I'll give it another watch because I think there is something here that I'm missing and that something is probably the one thing that in the end, will have me giving this film the thumbs up.

Heavily experimental, with borderline confusing dialogue and narrative, the movie stands out for its exquisite imagery. The music is so calming, and the overall mood was pretty isolatingly chipper. One could say the movie tells a story about abandonment and selfishness in a trauma inducing reality, while I interpreted it as some quasi-spiritual drama about the place of women, and hope and reincarnation in times of pathlessness. The film feels pretty insubstantial for the most part and a lot of the runtime feels like it's stretched out to the max, with decorative and repetitive imagery and no meaningful moments of revelation that move you-except that one moment of death halfway through the film, that's just as it is. Even though the movie was a pretty feel good one with solid imagery and music, all of it felt like a huge excercise in ambiguous storytelling, with little substance that deserves your investment and that which has little rewards-except that soothing music during the end credits.

Overall, I liked it, but I doubt people looking for any real substance will find any here.

Katla and her little sister Margit must flee their hometown after their mother is stoned to death for witchcraft. Katla's spell to find a husband nets them a new place to live, but comes with the emnity of the new husband's son. An independent American film shot in Iceland, the Juniper Tree is a beautiful interpretation of the brothers Grimm story of the same name. Fine performances, good costumes, and stunning landscapes bring this tale to life.

Bjork shines in this film. I cannot say that for the rest of the actors. The setting is great and moody. I love the black and white film stock. Everything is so atmospheric and beautiful, even though it does not conform at all to Hollywood narrative and aesthetic. A must see for all Bjork and Grimm's fairytale fans. See Bjork's video "Isobel," it's a beautiful manifestation of the seed planted here.