Reprise (film)
Reprise is a Norwegian film directed by Joachim Trier and co-written, over the course of five years, by Trier and Eskil Vogt. It is Trier's first feature-length film, and was the Norwegian candidate for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.
Reprise | |
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Directed by | Joachim Trier |
Produced by | Karin Julsrud |
Written by |
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Starring | |
Music by |
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Cinematography | Jakob Ihre |
Edited by | Olivier Bugge Coutté |
Distributed by |
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Release date | 8 September 2006 (Norway) |
Running time | 105 minutes |
Country | Norway |
Language | Norwegian |
Plot
Two 23-year-olds, Erik and Phillip, dream of becoming successful writers. They idolize the reclusive writer Sten Egil Dahl (a character modelled on Tor Ulven[1]). When they both try to get a manuscript published, Erik's is rejected. Phillip's, on the other hand, is accepted and he becomes a star of the Norwegian literary scene overnight. Phillip meets Kari, with whom he falls in love after inviting her on a trip to Paris. Six months later, Erik and his friends pick up Phillip at a psychiatric hospital to bring him home after a long treatment for his psychosis that was triggered by his obsessive love for Kari. Erik still hasn't given up his dream, but Phillip isn't able to write anymore, although his friend encourages him to make a new effort. Instead Phillip tries to get his ruined relationship with Kari to start over again from the beginning by asking her to return with him to Paris in a futile attempt to replicate their first trip. But once Philip realizes he doesn't love Kari anymore, they go their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Erik's revised manuscript gets published, but is met with poor reviews, and his girlfriend dumps him for neglecting her. The same day, Philip asks Erik to read his new writing and give feedback. Erik is honest and tells Philip it isn't his best work, needs improvements, but has potential, and he's glad Philip has started writing again. Philip lacks confidence in his writing, saying it's just recycled Dahl and Ulven, and is upset with Erik because he believes Erik is just trying to avoid hurting his feelings with nice comments. After Philip also calls Erik's novel recycled Dahl, Erik angrily leaves. Disgruntled by these events, Erik expresses his anger by kicking some parked vehicles and gets knocked out by one of their owners. He then goes to a park, only to be knocked out again by Sten Egil Dahl's dog. Erik wakes up in Dahl's home, and Dahl provides Erik with constructive feedback on his writing, including insights on how to write more authentically. This renews Erik's self-confidence, while prompting him to realize he must get out of Oslo to become a successful writer. Meanwhile, Philip, regretting his mistakes with Kari, goes to her workplace and tells her that he loves her and their love was always meant to be. But when Kari responds that she can take no more, he collapses on the floor. Erik goes to visit Philip at the hospital, but decides against meeting with him.
Erik moves to Paris without saying any goodbyes and imagines a succession of future events: he writes a second novel, which is a huge success back in Norway; after a year of living abroad, he decides to return home for a friend's wedding and reunites with his friends, including Philip, who is together with Kari again; Philip tells Erik he and Kari are happy and he likes his new book; Philip says he is most likely not going to write again, unless "the spirit will move him again"; Philip's comments inspire Erik to continue work on his next novel; Erik flies back to Paris.
Critical reception
Reprise received generally positive reviews from Western critics. As of August 23, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 87% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 69 reviews.[2] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 78 out of 100, based on 10 reviews.[3]
Top Ten lists
The film appeared on several critics' lists of the ten best films of 2008:[4]
- 5th - Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News[4]
- 6th - Nathan Rabin, The A.V. Club[4]
- 8th - Keith Phipps, The A.V. Club[4]
- 10th - Andrew O'Hehir, Salon[4]
In November 2009, film critics at the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang named Reprise the best Norwegian film of the decade.[5]
Box-office performance
As of July 9, 2008, the film has grossed approximately $1,161,592 worldwide: $514,013 in the United States and Canada, and $647,579 in other territories—including $491,785 in Norway.[6][7]
Awards
- Istanbul International Film Festival
- The Golden Tulip: Best Film
- European Film Festival in Lecce
- The Golden Olive: Best Film
- Best Script
- 41st Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
- Best Director
- Don Quijote Prize
- Nordic Film Festival in Rouen
- Best Film
- Audience Award
- Toronto International Film Festival
- Discovery Award
- Amanda Award
- Best Film
- Best Direction
- Best Script
Reprise was shown outside of competition at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.
References
- "Reprise (2006) - Trivia". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- "Reprise Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
- "Reprise (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- "Metacritic: 2008 Film Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 2, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
- Selås, Jon (26 November 2009). "Triers tiår". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). Retrieved 26 November 2009.
- "Reprise (2008)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- "Reprise (2008) - International Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
External links
- Reprise on IMDb
- Reprise at Rotten Tomatoes
- Reprise at Metacritic
- Reprise at Box Office Mojo
- Reprise at AllMovie
- Trailer at YouTube
- Reprise at BehaveNet Movies