Himmelfall

In a small town in Norway, or maybe a suburb to one of the bigger cities, we meet a group of people and get involved in their lives for three hectic days before Christmas. These people all tell us their story, and at the same time tell the story of somebody else.

We meet Reidar (Joner) and Juni (Bonnevie). They are patients at a mental institution, and have a close relationship (but to many of the viewers a strange one, I would guess) Juni hits people who touch her and we are not talking feminine slaps here, but full on break-your-nose-punches. Juni is also suicidal, and Reidar does his best to look after her. Reidar is a very responsible person, who is likely to take the blame for everything. He is also an astrology expert. Based on his constant studies, he has come to the conclusion that the sky might fall down any minute. Reidar's hope is that though we might not be able to save the other planets, we might save our own. Along with these two protagonists we meet a wide and colourful gallery of characters, they are all involved in each other's lives on some level, and they all have a story to tell.

It is very difficult to write a summary of this film, because it is so well made. If I write about one person, I have to mention more, and more, and soon I am giving away most of the plot. The film is full of surprises and lovely and vulnerable characters. It is extremely funny, and extremely sad at the same time. You laugh with tears in your eyes, constantly!

My guess is that this is another one of the films that will be bought from Hollywood and made into a similar, but not half as good box-office wonder. I truly hope though, and recommend, that you go see this film in Norwegian, even if this is not your native language, and enjoy it.

ohh my good!!! This is a typicly norwegian movie!!! Nothing is happening!!!! And the music???? I think it is just a experiment like "you are feeling sleepy...pling....plong....close your eyes....pling plong....zzz" and then I fell asleep! I was not very tired before the movie, so maybe this movie is a "good piece of art" or something like that....but it is just boring!!!!!

Reidar and Juni, both in their early twenties, are in a mental institution, labelled as "crazy" and unsuited for the outside world. We follow them and their psychiatrist (who is impotent, resulting in his wife having an ongoing affair with the local taxi driver) for a few days between Christmas and New Year's Eve. How different from the expected joyful, warm and cozy a family "get together" can be...

"Himmelfall" is one of the best norwegian movies ever. While some is of the opinion that "Pathfinder" is the best norwegian flick ever others argue that "Elling" is the best. In my opinion this is the best yet due to excellent actors, good balance between comedy and drama and a very reasonable pace to the storytelleing. The main character is played by Kristoffer Joner and he does his best job as an actor ever. He is very believeable as Reidar, a paranoid psychiatric patient convinced that the earth is in danger of total anhilation at any moment due to a meteor strike. The female lead, played by Marie Bonnevie, is the suicidal Juni who hide a dark past.

The movie is instantly funny while never forgetting to maintain the dramatic undertones. As with "Elling" I will not be surprised to see a "Hollywood" remake of this fantastic piece of entertainment... Recommended.