This film is about irritating relatives dying in order to set people free -- and about bad hair. I don't believe for a second that Karen ever actually cuts peoples hair. She can barely wash it. Also, all the characters in this film, with the possible exception of Jorgen, have bad hair. Maybe Dogme's new resolution is to make bad hair films? At least Halvfinn gets his fixed at the end -- but, significantly, not by Karen.
I understand that the Dogme series of films is supposed to be original and artistic and all that other commendable stuff. But this film, whilst enjoyable, is a mixture of Amelie and any American "feelgood" film where coincidences are (a) expected, and (b) happen just as expected.
Previous examples of the Dogme style (Festen etc), were noticeably raw at the edges. Italian for Beginner could have been made in Hollywood -- except for the handheld camera and lack of lighting.
Sorry and all that, but I give this a regular 7 out of 10 for "enjoyable but not exceptional".
I understand that the Dogme series of films is supposed to be original and artistic and all that other commendable stuff. But this film, whilst enjoyable, is a mixture of Amelie and any American "feelgood" film where coincidences are (a) expected, and (b) happen just as expected.
Previous examples of the Dogme style (Festen etc), were noticeably raw at the edges. Italian for Beginner could have been made in Hollywood -- except for the handheld camera and lack of lighting.
Sorry and all that, but I give this a regular 7 out of 10 for "enjoyable but not exceptional".