Sinus has gotten all kinds of reviews; from good to bad, and was no great success at the box office, I'm sorry to say. But it's impressive it was screened at cinemas. This shows the talent present here. Because this film is amazing when it comes to result without using money. It's made on a tiny budget, less than $ 8000 (!). Based on this; the film is almost incredibly well made.
So this will tell you what's great, and what's not. Economy: 10/10, Idea: 10/10, Talent: 10/10, Soundtrack: 10/10. Action: 2/10, Acting: 4/10, Dialogue: 2/10, Humour: 1/10, Effects: 3/10, Script: 4/10, Actor instruction: 5/10. Total rating: 5/10.
Based upon the budget; get amazed. It's almost as amazing as the Mexican flick "El Mariachi", which had a budget just a grand above this (but in a country with only a fraction of Norways expensive prices. This shows great talent, and of course we understand that everyone involved probably worked for cheeseburgers.
The film has a great idea; and it's quick and well executed, both on an artistic level, as well as technical with film; angles and camera-work. It's also quite realistic, and has a great soundtrack, but it seems still lacking the great idea to make us love it, and wanting to be interested.
The film tries to be funny; and is labeled as a black comedy, and I'd very much like to love this film, coming as a debut-work; and with lots of amateur actors. And it's fresh quick, stuffed with characters; but it lacks the drive I'd like it to have.
The film is about a clique of friends in the city; which we follow over seven days. Days, nights, party's, talks, drugs and booze. They go from great friends to the end of their common relations in these days. Until their last party ever.
Realistically in a kind of low-life way; like unequal friends often are. Maybe too much drugs to my taste, but I guess it's just like it is in a gang like this. So realistic it tends to be boring at at times. Drunken peoples discussions which might be realistic, is not very funny.
The quality of the camera focus differs; probably because this is a amateurish product, but it's still very fresh. There's clear talent all over here. Some of the editing and clipping is also to rough. (Like it tries to be "Requiem for a dream".) The real problem though, lies in the dialogue, more than in the manuscript. Realistic, yes, but is that a recipe good enough for a great film? I'm afraid not.
We need to love the characters to love a film like this, but we don't. They play well, but again maybe they are too realistic. We need to feel with them; and I'm sorry I have to say that no one was someone I'd like to identify myself with.
Though the main character and the narrator; played by David Skaufjord (alias in this film David Busk) is great; and charismatic, and does his best, we have trouble with bad acting at the kitchen he works in; from the chef and the female servant. It's here the film tries to be funny, and fails. Great idea, not so well executed. This is the worst part together with a street fight scene, which is too amateurish for me. Better not to show, I'd say.
Ove Christian Owe has a cameo as a Sysifos boss; and shines above the rest, together with his relative (cousin) Maren Bergem Owe, which has one of the main roles as Linda. Great little role also of the main characters grandmother.
So great talent, not fulfilled. Director Jeremy Robøle has a clear talent, but should seek more help to make his next film, mostly with writing the dialogue. The actors are not comfortable with using foul language. That shines through over and over. Half of it is good, but the parts which should be funny, is just silly.
On a Hollywood budget the dialogue would perhaps have been through an upgrade, and the film would be a success, but it would still get a 5 out of 10 from me. Though the climax is great, though sad; but then the movie stalls completely!
So: Don't see this without knowing about the tiny budget! Amazing as a student work. If it had been made 5 years later, this could have been a gem in all aspects! Great work, but it's still not enough for me to love and recommend this film to others than those with special interest.
