Shariq’s Département

A muddled, frenetic Norwegian movie with meta-alternative-what-if pretensions, Reprise, although hyped by critics like Manohla Dargis of the New York Times (who is generally spot-on), is fluffy and disappointing.

On the positive side, the movie, about close friends Phillip and Erik, in their twenties who both write and publish their first novels, successfully conveys the exuberance of youth where passion, optimism, loud music and sex rule.  But this has been done so many times before - what makes it a little bit unique is that we get to see contemporary Norway, a country which does not generally export many movies to the U.S.

The plot, focused on Phillip’s nervous breakdown post-publication and obsession with a woman he is in love with, might have worked quite well, except that the director, Joachim Trier, is so focused on quick editing and quirky “this would have happened if Erik did this” voice-overs that we, the audience are left emotionally numb.  Why does the audience care if Phillip is heartbroken or falling apart if the scenario is continously shifting in a post-modern fashion?  Essential parts of character and plot seem to be missing.  But perhaps that is part of the point.  Is young adult angst really definable or understandable?

Go see it for the thrill of a Norwegian rush - but you might be a bit disappointed.