Submarino [HD]

A Dark And Depressing Tale Of Dysfunction--This Danish Film Is Quietly Powerful And Unforgettable
Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg has yet to receive the attention of his fellow Dogme 95 compatriot Lars von Trier. While both have broken the strict rules of this back-to-basics film movement, Vinterberg has stayed closer to the principles of naturalistic storytelling. Von Trier, a born provocateur, seems more inclined to be labeled the "bad boy" of international cinema creating pieces that challenge conventional narrative and viewer expectation with aggressive glee. Vinterberg, however, has a quieter approach. His devastating "The Celebration" (Festen) is one of my absolute favorite films--a potent brew of family dysfunction that you're not likely to forget. Interestingly enough, he also served up one of my least favorite movies as well. "Dear Wendy" (with von Trier taking a screenplay credit) is an ill-conceived gun control parable that I found painful to sit through. But the power to elicit strong feelings (both good and bad) is a mark of a great director in my opinion...

Very intriguing
Low key, thoughtful look into the spiraling lives of two brothers. Redemptive at the end, though. Jakob Cedergren is one of my favorite actors. He can relay much emotion in a single look.

An Excellent and Very Troubling Movie
Submarino is one of the most troubling films I've ever seen. Even more than, say, King of Devil's Island, it makes painfully clear just how costly the loss of innocence can be. It's not an easy process for any of us, but the least fortunate suffer the deepest kind of emotional brutalization. Imagine two brothers, both approaching middle school age, who have no humane choice but to care for an infant sibling in an atmosphere suffused with alcoholism, indifference, and cruelty. Though untrained and ignorant of the needs of a baby, they take pride and pleasure in doing what seems morally right and technically correct, and they love the child. Given their inevitable limitations, however, the death of the infant comes as no surprise, except, perhaps, to the brothers.

One wonders how they survived their own earliest years, and we are struck by their decency and their loving natures. Still again, it's no surprise when, as adults, neither has escaped the emotional demons that...

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