A blackly comic vision of a nordic purgatory where no-one really feels love, and hot chocolate has no taste, but all claim to be happy. Andreas rebels against this bland utopia with darkly funny and shocking results. Beautifully shot, thought-provoking and open-ended.

Similar to all the Pleasantville type movies, but has nothing special to separate itself from the pack. Plus, this story could have been told in about 45 minutes.

Cool, stylish and highly interesting absurd fable. It's the kind of thing that could easily make me frustrated ("There's a deeper meaning here, and I don't get it!") but that doesn't in this case. Don't try to understand - just sit back and go with the flow.

This was pretty cool. The Bothersome Man can be linked to such movies as Eraserhead, Brazil and most of all The Hole. The film presents us with an immaculate world, where everything seems to run smoothly, but where no one ever gets excited about anything, for better or for worse. The film plays like a somewhat obvious critique of modern society, and perhaps Norwegian society in particular. To quote the Simpsons: it's "a detached tale of modern alienation".

"There are several ways to take this bothersome trifle, none of which are at all resonant." - Ed Gonzalez

I either didn't understand this movie at all or I'm one of the select few who did.

"Attempted theories to explain aren't adequate: It can't be hell because of the ending, it can't be purgatory because there is no soul-cleansing going on, it can't be a satire or morality tale on modern lifestyles or the joy of living because of the strong supernatural aspects."

A film that (entirely intentionally) leaves you with a feeling of emptiness and frustration. Initially didn't want to rate it higher than 70 because of that, but after thinking for a bit about the point of it all, I decided it deserves much better. Plus, it's beautiful to look at, and to listen to. Like a more coherent Roy Andersson film.

Sure, the story has unused potential and in the end you feel a little bit cheated, but I really enjoyed this black-and-white emotionless world Per Schreiner and Jens Lien created. Combined with a beautiful cinematography and good actors it's definitely a recommendation.

My god, his girlfriend was a copy of my ex. How spot on, this is exactly how living in the Dutch society is like. Unbelievable how the parallels are so close. If you are a Dutch person you must see this and then leave that godforsaken place or kill yourself.

beautifully made and facinating, well directed and acted. the story here is one that is so gripping it angers me that there weren't more questions answered than presented.

A fascinating film but the protagonist at times is not enough of a contrast to those around him.

You won't find any film anywhere that has more contrasts than this one. Bleak and boring one second, bloodily violent the next. These instant changes are what make the picture and they involve the plot, the characters, the visuals, everything. The twists, secrets, and hints will appeal to "Lost" fans. The allusions to otherworldliness will appeal to those who liked "The Village".

A fantastic, dream-like movie, in the spirit of Brazil or Dark City, though I wouldn't disparage Den Brysomme Mannen by calling it derivative. It's a sort of allegory for the superficiality of modern life, without being heavy handed.

One of those movies is that is more fun to ponder afterwards than it is to watch, but still entertaining.

#811 - 14 Agustos 08, 17:21 & 2006'nin en iyi filmi. modern toplumun icinde sikisan insanin yasadiklari... herseyin simetrik oldugu, tekduzelestig, duygularin neredeyse yok oldugu bir yasamin icinde, ana rahmine tekrar donus istedigi! film cok seyi anlatmasina ragmen acayip ozgun bir tarzi ve atmosferi var. bu film sinemayi sevmemin baslica nedenidir!

It seemed like the film was headed somewhere every time Andreas did something bold or daring, in defiance of the hazy, disinterested world around him, like most of us would upon finding ourselves in a lucid dream. Unfortunately, the story never really went anywhere. I gather this may have been the point, but the viewer is left feeling a bit cheated. I enjoyed the experience more than this writeup may suggest, but I'm afraid my enjoyment was purely ensconced in the aesthetics.

A disappointment.