July 11th
Booksmart
Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival

Not a huge week from me. One new "teen flick" that's a bit smarter than the average offering, plus a terrific festival of Scandinavian films. 

Booksmart
Director: Olivia Wilde
Length: 112 min

© Universal - teens will relate to this more than I 
did, though the script has its smart moments

Best buddies Mollie (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) are perceived as nerdy "swots" by the rest of their school pals. A day before graduation they discover that even the kids who have not been such serious scholars have got into top universities, so why shouldn't they finally have a bit of fun.  They decide to go to a pre-graduation party at one of the cool kid's houses. Upfront, I'll confess I'm probably not the best demographic of reviewer to assess this one. Screen representations of American high school kids totally perplex me - are they really this witty, loudmouthed, sassy, knowledgeable; in short the portrayal of the way they speak and behave strikes me as somewhat inauthentic. But what do I know - I'm neither American nor a teenager. These characters are certainly engaging, and it seems the fact that this story centres around girls (and not the usual stable of Judd Apatow guys) that it has garnered a lot of attention and praise. There are funny moments, silly moments, clever moments, and non-stop smart-mouthed dialogue. And yes, there is vulnerability, in that age-old theme of coming of age, while discovering both you and those around you are not all they appear to be. It should please the teen audience. 
3 - recommended!

Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival
Melbourne: 11-31 July
Palace Como, Balwyn, Brighton Bay, Westgarth
For times, ticketing and full program visit ScandinavianFilmFestival.com

There's a very particular sensibility about Nordic cinema. This festival features the best from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Sweden. For fans of Scandi Noir, the three films based upon Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy will get a reprise, as well as a terrific premier doco on the great author himself, Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Played With Fire. The centrepiece film A White White Day won a Best Actor at Cannes for its lead, while one of the two special presentations is reviewed here, and it's terrific. 

A White, White Day: This Icelandic film is the story of ex-cop Ingimundur (Ingvar E Sigurdsson) whose wife died in a tragic accident two years prior. He begins to suspect a local man may have had an affair with his wife. This suspicion fuels progressively erratic behaviour. While not an easy or conventional film, it features a most impressive lead performance from Sigurdsson, some excellent cinematography and much thought-provocation on the nature of love and forgiveness. The relationship between the grandfather and his lively granddaughter is especially beautifully portrayed. 

One Last Deal: From the Finnish director who helmed The Fencer comes a delicate story of aging art dealer Olavi, who is ready to retire. When he he sees a painting he suspects could be of great value. he reluctantly involves his grandson who is with him on work experience. Olavi has been estranged for years from his daughter and her son, and this moving, at times humorous tale, offers up the possibilities of redemption and the end of one's life. Beautifully shot and acted, it is well worth a look.