Reprise

(15) 105 min

CONTEMPORARY MELODRAMA

A relative of Lars von Trier, Norwegian writer-director Joachim Trier makes his feature debut with this breezily ambitious contemporary melodrama, which chronicles the highs and lows experienced by a pair of 20something middle-class best friends, Erik (Espen Klouman Hoiner) and Phillip (Anders Danielsen Lie). Both are passionate about the work of a reclusive Scandinavian writer, and both dream of penning a generation-defining novel. Cult literary success, however, brings some unexpected emotional consequences, as Philip’s obsessive feelings for his girlfriend Kari (Vicktoria Winge) become all-encompassing.

Convincingly acted by its mainly non-professional cast, the Oslo-set Reprise seeks to blend the playful New Wave spirit of early Truffaut and Godard – there’s even a romantic detour to Paris – with a punk rock sensibility, and it’s a passionate attachment to this very music which unites Erik and Phillip’s disparate group of friends. Trier tries to balance too many subplots, yet confidently matches style and content: the rapid editing and non-linear storytelling, which incorporates an unnamed narrator and imagined versions of events, reflect the turbulent inner worlds of the film’s creative characters.

GFT, Glasgow, Mon 15–Thu 18 Oct; Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Fri 12–Sun 14 Oct.

More: Film, Reviews (Film), Drama (Film), Foreign (Film), Anders Danielsen Lie, Espen Klouman Hoiner, Joachim Trier, Norwegian, Oslo, Vicktoria Winge

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