Bedre enn sitt rykte

"Bedre enn sitt rykte", which can be translated into "Better than their reputation", isn't really that as a film. I felt the the young actors struggled with giving a real credible performance, and it felt very often forced while watching this. Today mostly forgotten, but still a charming watch, if for nothing else than seeing how tings have changed in the last 60 years.

The film, based upon a short story by Eva Seeberg, was a success back in 1955, though there had been quite a stir about the films idea in the first place. Youngsters did't like the idea of a film about their partying at end of school. But when the film premiered it was welcomed by the same as a fair portrayal, just as the film title suggests.

It's about graduating youths, finishing off their school year before becoming students at universities and high schools. Except for the times changing radically since then, I think many of the activities they were indulged in, was very much the same as today. Surprisingly many things aren't changed at all. It's just before the final exams, and the celebration is coming at the same time. We are meeting some youngsters in love, and one infatuated in his young French language teacher. A triangular drama is unfolding.

The film maker Edith Calmar is reckoned of the finest in Norwegian film history, but this is not her best work. Technically the film is good, but as I did refer to, the young actors lets the film down. The older actors work fine. some dialog could have been better, at least from todays standards. This makes the film sometimes a tiny bit embarrassing to watch.