SBS Film - Something like happiness

Something Like Happiness

From website:

"...follows three childhood friends, now in their young adulthood, from a mid-sized Czech city. The trio tries to crystallise a role in life while struggling to cope with parental pressure on one hand and depressing physical and social conditions on the other."

Really sad film, but really good to watch. Helps to broaden one's mind on how others have to cope how little choice people have in other countries. This is the one with the dysfunctional mother and her good friend who looks after her children. The good friend's boyfriend has moved to America and is waiting for her to come to him there. The third party is the guy who has stayed in Czechslovakia and tried to be original and live by renovating his old family home. Happiness is almost reached and then taken away.

Story : 8/10
The way the director has made these three sad people interesting, and for the viewer to care about then while still providing some hope in this film is a gift of genius. It's not a higher score just cause it's a sad story.

Photography 7.5/10
There's nothing wrong with it, it perfectly captures the feel and grit of the situation, but as the situation isn't pretty so the aesthetics aren't pretty.

SBS Film - King's Game

Kongekabale (original title) (2004)

Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Writers: Nikolaj Arcel, Rasmus Heisterberg, and....
Stars: Anders W. Berthelsen, Søren Pilmark and Nastja Arcel

Really good to watch. had to download the end from the internet just so I could watch it (bloody SBS programming!)

From the SBS Filmsite:

Starting a new job as a political journalist at a leading newspaper, Ulrik Torp (Anders W. Berthelsen) witnesses a brutal struggle for power in the Midparty's ranks – a struggle that coincides with the party's charismatic leader's involvement in a near fatal car accident. A flurry of lies and media speculation surround the incident. Gradually, Ulrik unearths a ruthless conspiracy involving the incumbent prime minister and becomes obsessed with bringing the truth into the light. But neither his colleagues nor the politicians are willing to listen to him, and as election day draws near, Ulrik finds himself alone, battling against the powers that be.

Story 8.5/10 great plot, great character development, a fun "heist" like ending, but realistic and believable.

Photography: 8/10 well it's copenhagen, lots of grey (and I mean LOTS) but used well, some of the contrast in some night scenes isn't awesome but otherwise it's nordic!!

SBS Films - The Girl from Monaco

SBS Films - The Girl from Monaco: "A brilliant but neurotic attorney (Fabrice Luchini) goes to Monaco to defend a famous criminal. Instead of focusing on the case though, he falls for a beautiful she-devil (Louise Bourgoin), who turns him into a complete wreck. Hopefully, his zealous bodyguard will step in and put everything back in order... or will he?"

Hmm, bit disappointing, possible very french? the body guard's body is the thing for which to watch out.

Photography - 7/10 - mostly of monaco, the body guard and Audrey. Strangely unattractive when she was being her calous self.
Plot - 5/10 ending had a small turn, film would have been saved by something clever here.
Again - prob not.

SBS Films - You Bet Your Life

SBS Films - You Bet Your Life: "Kurt (Georg Friedrich) is an unemployed gambling addict who lives with his girlfriend, Manu (Gerti Drassl). On a losing streak, Kurt sheds the last of his cash at a card game and tries unsuccessfully to get more from Manu. He then tries to get money from his devout Christian dad. A chance encounter with a woman named Elvira (Claudia Martini) leads to a temporary winning streak at roulette with a seemingly lucky gambling die. Kurt starts using the die to help him make decisions in his life."

WEIRD ending, I've got the flu so it took me a while to get it.
I kept being alternately repulsed and attracted by the lead actor, so he was kind of awesome, perfect for the role.

Photography - 8/10
Feel - 8/10
Story - 6/10 not too original..but a few nice turns.
Again - maybe, middle of the scale.