Turist

Also known as: Force Majeure

Genre: comedy drama

With: Johannes Kuhnke (Tomas), Lisa Loven Kongsli (Ebba), Clara Wettergren (their daughter Vera), Vincent Wettergren (their son Harry), Kristofer Hivju (Mats), Fanni Metelius (Fanny), Karin Myrenberg (Charlotte), Brady Corbet (the American)

Director: Ruben Östlund

Screenplay: Ruben Östlund

Release: 2014

Studio: ARTE, BLS Business Location Südtirol-Alto Adige, Beofilm, C More Entertainment et al.

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.0/10 

 

A Therapy Session on the Slopes 

 

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Story-line: having just arrived at a comfy ski resort in the French Alps, Tomas, Ebba and their children see their vacation upended by an unforeseen event that breaks up the family’s harmony.     

Pluses: good acting by the two leads and supporting cast, sober direction, a subdued, well-observed and logically written screenplay that raises thorny issues and develops a fair amount of psychological tension and even danger, lovely and at times unusual cinematography (the drone scenes are spectacular), very good production values, an interesting score consisting of classical pieces and electro music, an understated but topical ending.

Minuses: before seeing FORCE MAJEURE, I was under the impression that it was per se a disaster movie like THE IMPOSSIBLE but I quickly realized I was very wrong. Yes, there is an avalanche at the 15-minute mark – the unforeseen event alluded to above – yet this incident is only the premise for the discussions and soul-searching to come. The movie in general – although I confess my bias against skiing vacations, which sound rather boring to me – feels a bit slow and uninteresting at times.      

Comments: Ruben Östlund’s drama on skis depicts a family in disarray – a workaholic dad, a disappointed mom, restless children wondering what’s happening – and treats its subject thoughtfully as it considers every detail, feeling or impression that such a crisis elicits. Also important are the story’s supporting characters, especially Mats and Fanny, who contribute meaningfully to the resolution of the conflict. FORCE MAJEURE is neither lively nor wickedly funny… it is a quiet, well-meaning and rational film that you will enjoy if you don’t approach it with excessive expectations. Anyone, it seems, can yield to panic.    

 

MBiS 

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