Hodet over vannet

This is a good movie that breezes by while you're squirming over how good intentions can, and sometimes will, go awry. While the cast is limited, it by no means is limiting. The plot is deceivingly confusing and, while you think you're on top of it, it challenges you till the end. I recommend it in the original version with sub-titles because that's part of its charm.

This Norwegian movie called "Hodet Over Vannet" from 1993 is one the best Norwegian movies ever made and the movie was also popular in United States that Hollywood made an own American version "Head Above Water" in 1996. The movie was the first movie to the huge Norwegian sing star Morten Abel and he made also the movie title song. The song "Hodet Over Vannet" is a real popular music hit in Norway and are still often playing on radio. The actress (Lene) who playing in this movie have also playing a huge popular role in the largest Norwegian soap TV series "Hotel Cæsar" where she played from 2000 to 2004. In 2004 Morten Abel played in his second movie "Alt For Egil", a really good Norwegian movie with a lot of singing dialogs with songs, nearly something like a half musical movie. Morten Abel made most of the music and songs to that movie too. The DVD version of "Alt For Egil" released in April 2005. "Hodet Over Vannet" released on DVD from the end of June 2005.

Both DVDs should have subtitles in English for the DVD market in Europe and maybe United States too. Check out the DVD net shops from Norway.

People went crazy in '96 when Head Above Water hit the movies in the us. Not so many people know, but it's actually "Hodet Over Vannet" that came before the English version. One of the best norwegian movies ever made. If you speak English, and have seen this version, and liked it, I surly recommend "De dødes tjern" as well. It's from the 60, and are definitely one of norways tresures as well:) One of the things I also like; Is that my all time fave norwegian singer Morten Abel is acting in it. He might be best known from the pop group The September When, but he also has a huge acting talent. He also sings the title song, whitch is an all time classic in norwegian music, I think:)

"Head Above Water" (1993) is a twisty-turny black comedy-come-thriller which could also be described as a brightly lit noir (the location is gorgeous). It is cleverly plotted and always stays one step ahead of the viewer: at first you may think it's a variation on Hitchcock's "The Trouble With Harry", later it becomes a cat-and-mouse game, a whodunit, and so on....there is even a hilarious final joke after the end of the credits. You can see why this film was picked for an American remake (1996), which I have seen many years ago but don't remember, except it must be said that Lene Elise Bergum is arguably hotter than Cameron Diaz, and inarguably more uninhibited when it comes to screen nudity. *** out of 4.

This movie, "Hodet over vannet", has later been remade in the Hollywood-version "Head Above Waters". Usually, originals tend to be better than remakes. From what I heard, that is exactly the case with this one. I wish I could confirm just that, but I can't since I haven't seen the Hollywood version. Now, back to this movie. Norwegian movies tend to stink big time, but this is an exception to that. The story is really good, and there are lots of surprises as it proceeds. The surroundings is south Norway in the summer, and it really fits to the movie and the plot. The especially interesting part about the plot, is that you never really know who's the bad guy, if there's any bad guy at all.