Zero Kelvin

As a squeamish woman who rather hates film violence, I have to say that Zero Kelvin was an exceptional film. Henrik Larsen is a struggling writer who wants "raw material" and subjects himself for a year with 2 experienced hunter-trappers. I agree with the other film reviewer that this is a "character study" but want to point out that it is not flat or dull by any means. There's plenty of action throughout. I don't think that Larsen's boss and nemesis, Randbaeck, is evil but "troubled", and this distinction gives a lot of credence to the true struggle and relationship between the two men.

After watching so many bad or mediocre movies lately, it was a pleasure to watch Zero Kelvin. I thought that the film worked on many levels -the disparity of the soft urbanite lifestyle to that of harsh, wilderness survival, the difficulties of human relationships in close proximity, the varying philosophies of love and intimacy. The film contained soft polemics about love, bitter misogynist tirades, and brutality tempered with affection tempered with harsh reality.

I first saw Stellan Skarsgard in "Breaking the Waves" and thought he was excellent. Then I caught in him a few ho-hum movies, and thought, yeah , just another B-grade actor. But it seems this kind of movie is his forte, he was great, as were the other two actors.

Excellent film.

Yes, the movie is in Norwegian with English subtitles. It is not difficult to follow however, because the scenes are almost all dialog driven. With little action to distract, you will be somewhat at ease reading the text. Essentially this is a character study about the dynamic interaction between three isolated fur trappers played against the bleak Greenland landscape. There is a sympathetic poet writer, a gruff foul mouthed sailor, and a scientist. With the poet and sailor on a collision course, there is a claustrophobic catastrophe just waiting to happen. This film is not for the squeamish viewer, because of the human and animal brutality on display. - MERK

As usual, I went to see this movie having heard nothing of it, which normally works best since then I am able to see it on its own premises rather than being affected by reviews or previews, and even so I was quite surprised.

This film is nothing less than a well-played, well-shot psychological action/drama/thriller, and what's more, a Norwegian one even. Everything is highly believable, and the psychological development of the main character is a bit reminiscent of Espen Arnakke in Aksel Sandemose's Misery Harbour.

In "Misery Harbour", however, it is a development you are made aware of and pointed to look for, whereas in "Kjærlighetens Kjøtere", it gradually dawns on you what you are seeing, which makes this a much more powerful psychological narrative.

All in all, this is a rare pearl of ice, a gem of filmmaking that should not be left in its oyster, but held up to the light to be viewed in all its beauty by everyone who enjoy good movies.

Gard, a Norweigen poet signs up for for some trapper organisation in Greenland. Assumingly looking for adventures and possible material for his writing. In Greenland things slowly starts to turn ugly. His boss Randbaek is a unreasonable man that seems to have a need to bully someone. The only other person on the station is a calm scientist that only engages in a situation if he absolutely has to.

One of the best things about this film is the depth of Randebaks character. Despite him being really foul and wretched there is plenty of glimpses of a person with regret beneath this rubble. At times he and Gard accomplished some kind of frail peace and at tmies Randaek even seems to respect Gard. But before there, off-course, they have already exchanged to many blows...

Its a raw and powerful film. With the icy north creating a great backdrop for their escalating conflict. Wonderful atmosphere. Lots of humor. With all the actors turning in good performances ( and with Stellan Skarsgard being particularly awesome). The film is at heart a mini-dram (even though there ARE some action) and much of it takes place in a primitive cottage. In kinda reminded me of the likewise excellent Runnaway Train. Great entertaining thriller with a serious edge.