Buddy

An absolutely awesome movie, Buddy takes the audience into the lives of three guys in a flat who end up on television with convoluted consequences. Their lives will never be the same, and only the discovery of true loyalty and redemptive friendship can make the situation and experiences into something positive. The transformation is quite moving and the characters seem very real, everyday people. Equally interesting, the film crosses documentary with cinema story to interface and comment on "reality TV." Kudos.

In spite of the seeming capitulation to Hollywood-style romance and happy endings - very uncharacteristic of Norwegian films - this is an outstanding story about status, using people, allegiance to success and stardom vs. allegiance to caring for human beings, especially friends. "Buddy" goes through somewhat annoying yo-yo relationships that need more definition and less reliance on fickle happenstance. The choices are not black and white, and the characters struggle in them. The topical relevance (to 'reality' TV) is especially poignant. In spite of the over-emphasis on finding romance and happiness in loyalty and responsibility, I give it 9/10. One of the most provocative, "real" yet uplifting European films of the year. Worth watching multiple times.

As the summary says, this film starts out a bit slowly but it is important that you stick with it since the movie is excellent overall. The story is about a working-class guy, Kristoffer and his relationships. While Kristoffer is wrapped up in relationships with two women (which he balances VERY poorly), his interaction with his two room mates (Geir and Stig Inge) were the most interesting aspect of the film to me.

It seems that the little video clips Kristoffer has been making with his pocket video camera have accidentally fallen into the hands of a Norwegian TV producer. Some of them are akin to stunts from the American show, "Jackass", while others are just day to day activities the three men are involved in as they are room mates. Oddly, when they are shown on TV, the three become instant small-time celebrities and instead of life getting better for the guys, things get much worse and quite strained.

While the plot is a bit easy to predict in some places (particularly regarding Kristoffer's girlfriends), the predictability isn't a serious detriment because it's such a nice and quirky sort of film--the sort you'll only see in foreign and independent films. Plus, there are enough surprises and good acting that the overall effort is very pleasant to watch and well worth a look. While not a perfect film, this does demonstrate that good stuff is coming out of Norway and I loved the relationship that blossoms between Kristoffer and Stig Inge.

This is one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time. Not only does it bring some originality to the genre, the characters are explored in some depth and the acting is up to anyone's standards.

Our protagonist loses his girlfriend, has a brief fling with a roommate and then....well, that's where the originality starts. The cast of characters is an offbeat crew of sign painters, slackers, neurotic web designers and environmental activists, all of them looking to make the world a better place in the midst of their love affairs and financial woes.

This is a great date movie; it raises some issues that are worth discussing in the car on the way home; you may even get away with letting your hand stray off the gearshift to your date's thigh.

I've seen other Norwegian movies and enjoyed them quite a bit, the most notable being Svidd Neger. There is a vein of sly humor running through these movies that gives them the little extra they needed to stand out in a world of generic Hollywood romances.

One can forgive the fact that this is more than just a little bit inspired by Ben Stillers film Reality Bites. Simply because it works as just what it is. This is not a demanding film, but a feel good adventure from beginning to end. At times it turns a bit "CLICHE". But it leaves you with a big smile and a good start for a night at the town.

Warm, humorous, boisterous, sensitive, naive and yes, maybe a little cliched, Buddy is a thoroughly enjoyable and fun film. I would highly recommend it.

If I'm honest, it wasn't a million miles from being yet another 'quirky' American teen feel-good film (American pie meets Jackass with a Graduate ending)... but, it would take a very cold and cynical heart not to warm to its eager and honest portrayal of wide eyed and bushy tailed Nowegian youth.

Despite some of the clumsy and obvious manipulations, it's got its heart in the right place... and if that's good enough for Stig, that's good enough for me.