101 Reykjavík

There are no new horizons in this film. Yes, there are quite a few perhaps talented young fellows who have a difficulty to adapt to mature life, to get a job, to get a stable relationship, financial independence. Haven't you known that already? But there is a novelty: a middle-aged mum comes out of the closet and declares her lesbian preference. Hang on, though: could you imagine a dad coming out of the closet? Probably yes, but then the emphasis of the film would have been very different. I mean, I'm somewhat suspicious about this lesbian line: isn't it just another sexy (literally and figuratively speaking), saucy attraction added to the film, for its own sake? Hardly anyone, presumably, would be curious to watch middle-aged or old men engaged in gay sex. Not so with women. Likewise, I've never been to Reykjavik, but I'm stunned to discover the apparently large number of lesbian or bi-sexual girls in its pubs. The asymmetry with homosexual men is obvious. So I have my doubts about this film's realism, or more exactly, its cynical exploitation of basic instincts. The film pretends to be a comedy. But it fails. As far as I'm concerned, there's just one genuinely funny moment---the scene with the parking inspector. All the rest are only *supposed* to be funny. A positive moment, however, is that they are not tasteless still. If it's a failed comedy, does it deliver a message? Hardly. Except possibly one: Hlynur eventually finds the job. That could be a serious message, if Hlynur were described as a rebel at the beginning. Which he isn't. Hence the film doesn't aspire to be anything but a comedy, and in that department it fails, I believe.

Now, you might think that such a mediocre film should have poor acting. You are wrong! Oddly enough, the acting is of very good quality. Guonason is perfect, entirely natural, and other leading actors are quite decent. I'm no great fan of Victoria Abril, but she does a good job too. To sum up: watch this film after a busy day and go to bed. Rating: 6.5.

This is one of the funniest movies I watched recently. A 30 years old guy, still living with his mother, refusing to get a job and quite retarded in regard to any relation with the opposite sex, runs into one crazy situation after the other, and his complete disability to handle them simply makes you scream out laughing. Yet, the humour in the movie is not of the dumb slapstick or nonsense kind, but, with some exceptions, actually quite intelligent, as social issues like sexual orientation, identity and general problems of way of living are dealt with. The spanish girl, as an intruder in the rather decadent and boring scenario of small Reykjavik, raises questions and perturbs the world of the small family perfectly by first seducing the son and then the mother, though unwillingly. Great acting. If this movie had a broader audience, it could really have become a big hit; now it encants only a limited number of spectators with its (very un-nordic) warm, easy and comfortable atmosphere and leaves you very satisfied. Big recommendation!

Others have rehearsed the plot so here are some general comments.

The best thing about this film is Victoria Abril who is not so much a woman as a force of nature. I must admit I've not seen any of her work with Almodovar, but I was surprised to learn from the DVD filmography that she's been working in European cinema since as long ago as Richard Lester's 1976 "Robin and Marian". She was 40 when this film was made, so hardly a 'toygirl' for the fiftyish mother (although quite a catch, it must be said).

I guess Lola was changed from an Icelandic character to Spanish to draw in the European art-house audience but it's still a decision which works well as she personifies an outside force which arrives and turns Hlynar's world upside down.

The film feels very much like the novel adaptation it is - quite a lot of voice-over and exposition - but there are a number of deadpan cinematic jokes of the Kaurismaki variety, combined with sexual outrageousness in the Almodovar vein. Some of the humour only becomes apparent on repeated viewings; in all the fusion of styles works surprisingly well.

Overall, this probably won't change your life but it's a lot of fun.

This film is a fresh look at life itself. Being set in an unfamiliar environment, it gives the viewer a chance to see what might be an otherwise familiar story with a fresh set of eyes. Well, okay, strictly speaking, the story IS a little unusual, but that's not my point.

There are a few things you should probably know about Reykjavik before you see this movie. It's not really very cold, for one thing. Sitting out at the end of the Gulf Stream, it has very temperate weather, rarely above 72F (20C) in summer and typically around 30F (-2C) in winter. You could probably get by in a sweater most of the year, at least in the city. (Far away from the city, in the uninhabited middle of the country, you'll find a couple of active volcanoes and the largest glacier in Europe.) For another thing, it's an amazingly alcoholic place. When we were there, beer (well, weak beer, anyway) was sold in soda machines. People drink until they pass out in public, especially when getting primed for 3-day weekends (bank holidays), and it's not considered shameful -- their more conscious drunken friends just help carry them to the bus/airplane/car. People line up around the block to get into discos, even in the summer when it's light 22 hours a day. These people party hearty. If this seems like a conflict with what is supposed to be a predominantly Lutheran country, it might be, but nobody seems to let it bother them too much. But, back to the movie...

This movie is both a frank look at this gleefully debauched ambiance, and a more personal look at our hero, Hlynur. For the sake of discussion, let's call him a fully-grown bird yet to leave the nest. You could describe this movie a number of glib ways, none of which would be truly accurate. "Coming-of-age." "Self-discovery." "Rebirth." "The meaning of life." "Sex, drugs, and Rock 'n Roll."

What it is is funny. Really funny. Hlynur is sort of an existential being, and the world mostly happens to him. He's not sure why and not sure what it means. Should he find it tragic, incomprehensible, or just funny? For him, comfortable in the ennui of his unchallenging existence, these disturbances are a bit of a challenge. For us, the audience, what it is is seriously entertaining!

The directing is terrific. The acting is excellent. Victoria Abril is a treat, as usual, but the rest of the mostly Icelandic cast manages to keep up. And the endless "Lola" remixes are hilarious. A lot of fun, highly recommended.

101 Reykjavik blowed my mind off when I saw it. Mine, who's lived in Iceland, spent (too!) much time in 101 Reykjavik and seen it all. It's so real that it's a bit scary; life really can be like that in Reykjavik. I'd recommend this film to someone who's interested in the Icelandic way of living and doesn't get shocked too easily! To make the experience deeper and fuller, also read the book! It's shockingly thick but worth every word in it.