Hawaii Sucks! This movie, however, does not. Great movies make you question your own understanding of the world and your place within it. Hawaii Oslo delivers with unique questions, themes, and relationships which demand the observer to watch, comprehend, and believe. The movie, set in Oslo revolves in a unique patchwork way around Hawaii, first as an alternative reality to Leon's brother being incarcerated and second as the bar in which Leon and Asa would finally meet. The use of Hawaii represents the main theme of the film which maintains throughout and entices the viewer; that all is not as it appears. The use of which can be seen in the characters, their relationships, their actions, and within the film itself.
The characters themselves represent a contradiction of realities; Vidar seems to be able to witness events which have not occurred. We witness this reality in the opening of the film in which Vidar dreams that Leon is struck by an ambulance while running, yet the ending of the film makes us question his ability. In addition Vidar and the paper girl share a unique moment when both describe the other as not who they appear. Additional character divisiveness exists in Frode the father of a baby who is born with a unique heart defect – this man who appears at the outset to be only concerned with his self, but by the end has given away all that he is and risks jail time for the life of his child. This is only compounded by the mother of two young men who have lost their father, who we meet attempting suicide (only successful with her cat), but by the end is working diligently to reclaim her boys and build a life for them. The distinct realities of the characters makes one question their own role in life; for these individuals self-sacrifice to another either saved them or brought out the best in them.
Relationships within the film also present a contradiction of reality, in both Leon's relationship to his brother and the mother to her two boys. We find Leon's brother in prison for armed robbery, yet Leon is told and believes to some extent that his brother is in Hawaii the whole time. Throughout the film Leon is used by his brother for his own ends and Leon's one true goal in life, to meet up with Asa, is almost lost to his brother's actions. Instead we find Vidar being more of a brother or guardian angel to Leon than his own flesh and blood; looking out for Leon's safety and goal at the expense of his own health. The same is true for the boys who found a family with one another and whose mother seemed to give little concern for them and focused instead upon her depression. Relationships within this film carry a two fold message: 1. that family does not necessarily equate to blood ties and 2. That a true friend or family member is willing to sacrifice themselves for those they care about.
The actions of the characters throughout the film define this concept of self-sacrifice for those who you care, but also demonstrate that focus upon one's self eventually leads to fruitless ends. Whether we take the example of Vidar and Leon, Frode, Leon's brother, or the mother and her children the outcome is the same. Those that in the end were willing to look beyond themselves for the benefit of another were rewarded or at least felt as though a burden had been lifted, while those whom stayed focused upon their self, namely Leon's brother, received only added burden. This idea is intriguing throughout the film for as one watches, one can not help but realize the extent to which each of the characters, with the exception of Vidar and the paper girl, are wrapped up in themselves, their careers, their goals, or their loss.
Finally, the film overall presented a reality of Vidar's dream at the beginning of the film and a series of events which lead to an alternate, but similar conclusion. The film's use of Hawaii flower breaks exacerbates the feeling that the entire film rather than simply the beginning is a dream or the replay of events in an individuals head before the end. This sense of mystery and illusion adds greatly to the viewers' enjoyment, as one tries to piece the stories together and realizes how all choices and actions affect not one character or two, but all individual characters. In a world today marked by self-centered individuals, companies, and government which seek only the best for the bottom line this film has a serious and beneficial message; that your individual actions affect more than just you and that only through self-sacrifice to others can we remove our own burdens.
Vidar's advice to Frode, at the birth of his son, is key to the entire movie, "Cherish it" – cherish the moments for they are all anyone truly has in life. Even if you don't like Norwegian films or believe that the message and purpose of this film would be lost upon your-self or does not apply, see it. Out of a number of foreign films I have seen this one by far had a simple message for all to take away, with a story and cinematic elements which create an excellent viewing experience, worth your time.
The characters themselves represent a contradiction of realities; Vidar seems to be able to witness events which have not occurred. We witness this reality in the opening of the film in which Vidar dreams that Leon is struck by an ambulance while running, yet the ending of the film makes us question his ability. In addition Vidar and the paper girl share a unique moment when both describe the other as not who they appear. Additional character divisiveness exists in Frode the father of a baby who is born with a unique heart defect – this man who appears at the outset to be only concerned with his self, but by the end has given away all that he is and risks jail time for the life of his child. This is only compounded by the mother of two young men who have lost their father, who we meet attempting suicide (only successful with her cat), but by the end is working diligently to reclaim her boys and build a life for them. The distinct realities of the characters makes one question their own role in life; for these individuals self-sacrifice to another either saved them or brought out the best in them.
Relationships within the film also present a contradiction of reality, in both Leon's relationship to his brother and the mother to her two boys. We find Leon's brother in prison for armed robbery, yet Leon is told and believes to some extent that his brother is in Hawaii the whole time. Throughout the film Leon is used by his brother for his own ends and Leon's one true goal in life, to meet up with Asa, is almost lost to his brother's actions. Instead we find Vidar being more of a brother or guardian angel to Leon than his own flesh and blood; looking out for Leon's safety and goal at the expense of his own health. The same is true for the boys who found a family with one another and whose mother seemed to give little concern for them and focused instead upon her depression. Relationships within this film carry a two fold message: 1. that family does not necessarily equate to blood ties and 2. That a true friend or family member is willing to sacrifice themselves for those they care about.
The actions of the characters throughout the film define this concept of self-sacrifice for those who you care, but also demonstrate that focus upon one's self eventually leads to fruitless ends. Whether we take the example of Vidar and Leon, Frode, Leon's brother, or the mother and her children the outcome is the same. Those that in the end were willing to look beyond themselves for the benefit of another were rewarded or at least felt as though a burden had been lifted, while those whom stayed focused upon their self, namely Leon's brother, received only added burden. This idea is intriguing throughout the film for as one watches, one can not help but realize the extent to which each of the characters, with the exception of Vidar and the paper girl, are wrapped up in themselves, their careers, their goals, or their loss.
Finally, the film overall presented a reality of Vidar's dream at the beginning of the film and a series of events which lead to an alternate, but similar conclusion. The film's use of Hawaii flower breaks exacerbates the feeling that the entire film rather than simply the beginning is a dream or the replay of events in an individuals head before the end. This sense of mystery and illusion adds greatly to the viewers' enjoyment, as one tries to piece the stories together and realizes how all choices and actions affect not one character or two, but all individual characters. In a world today marked by self-centered individuals, companies, and government which seek only the best for the bottom line this film has a serious and beneficial message; that your individual actions affect more than just you and that only through self-sacrifice to others can we remove our own burdens.
Vidar's advice to Frode, at the birth of his son, is key to the entire movie, "Cherish it" – cherish the moments for they are all anyone truly has in life. Even if you don't like Norwegian films or believe that the message and purpose of this film would be lost upon your-self or does not apply, see it. Out of a number of foreign films I have seen this one by far had a simple message for all to take away, with a story and cinematic elements which create an excellent viewing experience, worth your time.