Løvekvinnen

I didn't have huge expectations for the film, which is based upon the internationally acclaimed novel by the Norwegain novelist Erik Fosnes Hansen by the same name, directed and scripted by Norwegian Vibeke Idsøe. Idsøe has formerly been best known for her family films and an O.K. comedy, but this is by far her best film to date. The film offers both a great story, beautiful photographed scenes, good film music and great production values and good acting.

Eva Arctander is born while her mother dies at home on a train station in a small town in Norway. The little girl is covered with hair all over her body, much to her fathers shame. We follow her upbringing as well as later life, having to cope with the abnormality of being "dressed" as an animal.

The film functions on several levels, and has been criticized for not having a sharp enough edge. I think that's a load of b.s., and I find it rather relieving that the film is not full of bullying or nastiness. We've seen all that before.

the film is simply beautifully shot by danish cinematography master Dan Laustsen, known from films like Headhunter, I am Dina, The Possession...* Combined with a perfectly made musical score, I found the film a delight to watch on the big screen.

The film is very much a Scandinavian project, with many Danish actors, a brilliant Swedish second lead (Rolf Lassgård) and a couple of good Norewgian female central actors in all the different versions of Eva (as 7, 14 years old and grown up). There are also many good minor roles.

Though I must admit I found a couple of weaknesses. That comes to the believably language spoken by the child as a 7 year old. It was far too advanced. It didn't sound right, and was quite awkward. There's also a couple of other glitches in the dialogues, and Idsøe should have had a script consultant removing this, so that the film would have that weakness. I also was a little bit annoyed by the CGI used on Eva as a baby. Later on, this is perfect.

But when it comes to all, I found the film both interesting and entertaining. And well worth your time!

I saw this movie with an audience, and quite a few had a visible (and intended )emotional reaction to it. Obviously it's able to touch people on an emotional level. In that regard, the movie is quite successful.

Before I saw this movie, I was annoyed by how much of the story was spoiled by trailers. But after watching it, you realize that the story itself is not the important part of this movie. It's establishing relationships between Eva (the girl) and the people in her life. This is also where the movie gains its emotional strength. This part of the movie is probably also the best one, as the feelings the characters have for each other is easily felt as you watch the movie.

But I was there was more. The plot is mostly predictable, and even its most dramatic moments is quickly dropped shortly after happening. The movie goes as a swift pace past anything actually happening, but spends a lot of time on the moments where there's not much going on at all. Where young Eva is exploring the limits of her household, and trying to get a glimpse of the world outside of it. There's enough happening in this movie to warrant its two hour runtime, but the time could have been spent a lot better.

The last part of the movie is almost like fast forward, most likely only so that they could get to the ending scene in a way that carried some emotional impact. Perhaps more of the movie could be spent on these parts of her life, instead of her childhood? In the end, it's a movie that follows the beats you expect it to. On a technical level it (mostly) impresses, especially the make up. The dialects are all over the place, taking a bit of the realism away, but the acting is mostly of high quality.

Its a beautiful and sad fairytale. I guess reality it's much worse. That is why it is predictable storytelling to give us hope and not to much despair.

I do not consider myself an expert to criticize a work like a movie, where so many people work, but if I am able to see or understand the message that is wanted to give the work and in this story, the message is simple, "No matter the condition with which you were born, it is not an excuse to dream and achieve something great "I know it is not easy, society is the factor that most debilitates a person, and we all know, but if someone manages to overcome those immense mountains, there will be nobody who can collapse it.

What a such good movie made by norwegians, they derserve an award.