In 1981,in "whose life is it anyway? " ,Richard Dreyfuss ,paralysed after a car crash ,asked for the right to die :as he was in a hospital ,it was not easy .
In Europa, some movies about assisted suicide were made in France ("quelques heures de Printemps" )and in Germany (und Morgen Mittag ,bin ich tot" ) but as it is illegal in both countries, death took place in Switzerland .Hollywood did not want to be outdone by Europa and thus produced "blackbird" ,which,although featuring Susan Sarandon as the strong lead, the movie verged on soap opera.
"Selvmordsturisten" is the most ambitious of the lot ,but is it the best for all that? I have my doubts .Euthanasia is a grave concern which involves all of us ,and someone who tells he will never resort to it is, either a saint ,or a liar.
Whereas the other movies dealing with the subject were given realistic treatments, linear narration , "selvmordsturisten " is much less accessible ,and might put off some viewers ;the lead gives a restrained but effective performance ;the cinematography is brilliant ,particularly in the mountain ; the Aurora (the name of which is rather wry ,for Aurora means more dusk than dawn) is a spooky place : its futuristic look is close to sci-fi ,and its rules are ruthless. Why English is used there whereas outside the first language remains is curious: is it because the place is international , euthanasia being illegal in the great majority of the world, so many "clients " come from other countries ?:this is not specified ; people about to commit assisted suicide would rather talk in their first language. This is a place ,unlike the German and French efforts you are not supposed to change your mind
That said, the movie is off the beaten track ,and one feels the unfortunate hero's fear and misgivings, his escape in the icy areas becomes a transparent metaphor : you will never run as fast as time and death will find you wherever you are.
