Kærlighedens smerte

An interesting take on mental illness. Kirsten's life is seen in chronological moments of her life from a young child. They show the signs of her mental illness from an early age, but at that time it seemed so slight that they are only detectable to us, the viewer, because of their selection. Her deteriorating illness is progressive and all the help and support of those who love her cannot change that. One of her last statements in the film is to the effect that she doesn't cope well with being loved. Filmed with a detached observational style, it made me feel as though I was watching a life unfold rather than artifice drama.

The Pain of Love shows just that - the depth to which a person who has fixated on another person can drop. I saw this film almost 20 years ago and have never forgotten it. I saw two other pictures by Nils Malmros, both remarkable (TREE OF KNOWLEDGE & BOYS). This guy has the talent reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman. I live in Los Angeles and his films are never released here (I saw all his titles at film festivals)- it's very depressing not to have access to his works.

The actress who plays the lead character displays emotions that I have felt in my darker moments. She was truly able to transmit the sensation of deep depression.