Autumn Lights

... doesn't-take-long into-this-movie & you realize-see how dumb-it-is... acting-writing-directing... location the only-positive... then you get halfway in wondering if it'll get any better

... sitting here now half-way.. wondering-guessing is-it-worth continuing-on

... and should it be decided to have nudity... have all actors in-agreement... otherwise scenes incorporating logical-nudity stand out against those that don't.

Autumn Lights is a drama about the main character, David, who is on a work-related vacation in Iceland. The movie focuses on his interactions with the people who live near his vacation house. Since it is a remote location in Iceland, he frequently meets up with a couple, Johann and Marie.

The Good:

A lot of the conversations that were had in this movie will be very relevant to most people and it gives the viewer some food for thought when they leave the theater.

The actors were able to communicate their characters' thoughts and feelings about a situation with just a look on their face. This allows for quiet moments of tension that enhance the tone of the movie.

The Bad:

The overarching plot is a paint-by-numbers of many movies that came before it which led this one to be predictable.

The actors all give subdued performances. Most, if not all, of the dialogue has a monotone delivery which removes some of the emotional punch that could have been present. The director attended the screening I was at and he said he wanted the actors to give quiet performances because it adds to the mystery and depth of each character. This would have been a plus if it was applied to maybe just one character and not all of them.

Overall, if you like movies that are more focused on the conversations that the characters have than the actual plot, you will most likely find some enjoyment from this one. If you don't like slow-paced dramas, I would stay away from this one because it's nothing you haven't seen before.

As the movie progressed, I was wondering if it was one of those that I wouldn't be able to finish. It was mostly predictable which is something I never like. Despite this, there were a few minor curve balls, and the characters were interesting enough to keep me watching. As the end neared the movie was looking like a high-3 / low-4 rating until the ending. It was good - quite good actually and one of those that keeps one thinking about well after the movie is over. Was it enough to make this worth watching? For me it was.

Snorri Englibertsson, please read the scrip before you do another drab film like this. The G on G scene was so boring and humiliating to watch. Don't bother watching this one.

The general response to this film is bipolar. Either a masterpiece or godawful. I thought something in between. It is definitely a psychological rather than action movie, but I found the interpersonal dynamics interesting enough to hold my attention. The acting was good, and the characters pretty well crafted. People exhibiting a mix of behavior one will find familiar and unfamiliar. Overall it seemed to me a worthy effort. The critics certainly felt otherwise.