Versatile depiction of ups and downs of modern school-leavers
Being aware that I am not a member of target audience here, I am also aware that Estonian films have become more interesting; we have always had good performers, but most scripts were "domestic" and/or subject to ideology.
The current century has brought a new breath of air into Estonian cinema and I am glad to announce that Nullpunkt is a good example of a mix of convincing plot, realistic characters and distinct performers (casting). 25-years-old Märt Pius is persuasive and realistic as 18- years-old Johannes and the background and situations he meets with are part of modern society in Estonia as well - social exclusion, stratification, drug use, cliquishness and many other largely negative phenomena the youth has to come across and deal with in a way or another. Even if you win, there are consequences, so the victories are often Pyrrhic...
As for other performances, they are all at least good, although I saw more joint dynamism in "older" characters, all performed by acclaimed Estonian actors, in spite of the role scale. Some Johannes' classmates seemed a bit sketchy, their inclusion was not always grounded, although it provided some wide scope and view.
So, a good youth film, apparently easily to identify with - for the younger generation. For me, the last words of Johannes were a bit odd and out of context, but then - see my first words of my review... :)
The current century has brought a new breath of air into Estonian cinema and I am glad to announce that Nullpunkt is a good example of a mix of convincing plot, realistic characters and distinct performers (casting). 25-years-old Märt Pius is persuasive and realistic as 18- years-old Johannes and the background and situations he meets with are part of modern society in Estonia as well - social exclusion, stratification, drug use, cliquishness and many other largely negative phenomena the youth has to come across and deal with in a way or another. Even if you win, there are consequences, so the victories are often Pyrrhic...
As for other performances, they are all at least good, although I saw more joint dynamism in "older" characters, all performed by acclaimed Estonian actors, in spite of the role scale. Some Johannes' classmates seemed a bit sketchy, their inclusion was not always grounded, although it provided some wide scope and view.
So, a good youth film, apparently easily to identify with - for the younger generation. For me, the last words of Johannes were a bit odd and out of context, but then - see my first words of my review... :)
- BeneCumb
- Mar 19, 2016