This movie, about a 19-year-old Polish immigrant working at a fish factory in Norway who has feelings for his colleague, is an okay romance movie.
First of all, it has a good story itself. It shows the life of a young man struggling to fit in his new job in the foreign country Norway among other poles. The protagonist Robert wasn't very expressive, but you could still manage to understand his feelings and thoughts, which I think was well done. The focus was always on his eyes, and his eyes told us a lot.
The inner story represents important themes, like immigration, stereotyping, judgment and identity, through the conflicts between the characters. These themes are relatable to everyone, and the answer to the message of movie is cooperation, which is the key to success.
In terms of the storyline, the first act was engaging and it held on to my attention. After the first act, it went slightly downhill throughout. The second act had some turning points, but it still felt bland in some way. One of the reasons may have been the relationship between Robert and his partner Ivar. Their romance was engaging, but their conflict felt forced, unfortunately. The pace felt uneven sometimes, too. Once I thought there would be a third act, the movie suddenly ended. I expected some sort of a climax. I anticipated something more, so this was a little disappointing. The fish had no tail.
Otherwise, the cinematography was appealing with its handheld camera that put us right into the moment, but I have to admit that I wanted more music. I see the point of focusing on the present moment, but to make the situation even more engaging, I personally would add more music.
This is a well-intentioned movie with a flawed execution. The first act is engaging, introducing the protagonist and themes of immigration, stereotyping, judgment, and identity. The second act is less successful, with a forced romance and uneven pacing. The movie lacks a satisfying climax, ending abruptly. Despite its flaws, the movie is still worth watching for its strong story and appealing cinematography.
First of all, it has a good story itself. It shows the life of a young man struggling to fit in his new job in the foreign country Norway among other poles. The protagonist Robert wasn't very expressive, but you could still manage to understand his feelings and thoughts, which I think was well done. The focus was always on his eyes, and his eyes told us a lot.
The inner story represents important themes, like immigration, stereotyping, judgment and identity, through the conflicts between the characters. These themes are relatable to everyone, and the answer to the message of movie is cooperation, which is the key to success.
In terms of the storyline, the first act was engaging and it held on to my attention. After the first act, it went slightly downhill throughout. The second act had some turning points, but it still felt bland in some way. One of the reasons may have been the relationship between Robert and his partner Ivar. Their romance was engaging, but their conflict felt forced, unfortunately. The pace felt uneven sometimes, too. Once I thought there would be a third act, the movie suddenly ended. I expected some sort of a climax. I anticipated something more, so this was a little disappointing. The fish had no tail.
Otherwise, the cinematography was appealing with its handheld camera that put us right into the moment, but I have to admit that I wanted more music. I see the point of focusing on the present moment, but to make the situation even more engaging, I personally would add more music.
This is a well-intentioned movie with a flawed execution. The first act is engaging, introducing the protagonist and themes of immigration, stereotyping, judgment, and identity. The second act is less successful, with a forced romance and uneven pacing. The movie lacks a satisfying climax, ending abruptly. Despite its flaws, the movie is still worth watching for its strong story and appealing cinematography.