Encontro Fatal

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 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.

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:)

Remakes... what is that? More than the concept of "remake", remakes are a way to make "easy money" and, of course, a way to overshadow the originals and cover their true identity. In the end, we think the Americans are so great and original when they lack ideas and originality, remaking the others's works instead and claiming as theirs. If before knowing that the remake was a remake it seemed alright, in comparison it pales.

I don't know more norwegian movies, even though Norway is a gorgeous country. But this moment of glory in norwegian cinema is one to be treasured.

Hollywood, beware: this norwegian is a lesson in originality and how to make a movie as it should be. There is a lot to be appreciated. The story is unlike anything else, the norwegian cinematography is stunning, the film is intriguing, the acting by the actors is authentic and the film-making is a good school of film-making.

Lene Elise Bergum is a lot more serious than the funnier Cameron Diaz, but it's the norwegian actress who is superior (and far more authentic). Although Cameron Diaz was still beautiful and hot back then, Lene is hotter because of the several nudity scenes.

Svein Roger Karlsen is phenomenal as the judge. Every weird behavior of his character seems so authentic that it only means that the actor is awesome. Morten Abel and Reidar Sørensen have good performances too, but they're in a different league because their roles are much simpler.

This should definitely be on Top 250.

"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.