Oslo, August 31st

Nearly all reviews of "Oslo" exalts its take on addiction, but even though this is handled superbly, I feel "Oslo's" is at its strongest, when it examines the often suffocating grip of society's expectations. Anders' outsider status affords him - and vicariously Trier's camera - the chance to take a cold, hard look at the relationships that dissolve, the ideals that crumble and the dreams that wither as you hit 30 and either conform or get crushed. It's depressingly convincing and realistic.

Simplistic, in a good way. It's all about the character of Anders - which the talented Danielsen Lie owns. Between 'Oslo, August 31st' and this film, Joachim Trier is, for my money, the most exciting European director currently active.

trier's ability to invest each of his uncompromisingly naturalistic conversations with such a tapestry of implicit scars, fears and shared histories is a testament to his attentiveness, as well as his talent....

This overrated low-key norwegian anti-drug drama follows one day in the life of Anders, as he wanders about how hard it is to return to society and build a normal life all over again. I see no stylish filmmaking, no great acting and no interesting screenwriting. Actually, I guess, there is little to be seen.

A well-crafted film, but I must admit I had expected Trier to take one step further. It seems a bit of an artistic step back from Reprise to be honest, as if it's been stripped of a lot of its potential. That's not to say the acting, writing and general production of this isn't through the roof, of course.