I Am Dina (2002)
In Northern Norway during the 1860s, a little girl named Dina accidentally causes her mother's death. Overcome with grief, her father refuses to raise her, leaving her in the care of the household servants. Dina grows up wild and unmanageable, with her only friend being the stable boy, Tomas. She summons her mother's ghost and develops a strange fascination with death as well as a passion for living.
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Not even bad in a good way
A Disappointing Continuation
One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Beautiful, intellectual, sexy and sensual Maria Bonnevik made this movie even better than I expected after seeing trailer of the movie in http://www.iamdina.com.Maria, "the Scandinavian Holly Marie Combs but with a real human soul" (of whom I had never seen before), the only Great French performing actor (since Jean-Paul Belmondo and Alain Delon have both retired) Gérard Depardieu (the best three thing in France are Renault (the car), Renault (the Cognac) and the French Fries, but I have to admit that adding Gérard to my list would be appropriate thing to do, not only because of this movie) and Christopher Eccleston (who was superb as a chief of police in a British TV series I saw years ago) led the best roles in this movie.In whole, "I am Dina" was one of the "Greater Than Life" movies I have seen. It almost made a grown-up man cry at times - but just almost ;-) Best emotional and intellectual affect since "Forrest Gump" which also had a great effect, not least because of the beautiful music of Alan Silvestri.If something could be done other way to make this perfect Scandinavian movie "even more perfect", I would have 1) changed Bjørn Floberg as her father to somebody more emotional actor or made him show some more feelings in the movie. I have not read the original book so I can not be sure whether his role was well performed or not.2) changed Hans Matheson to Ewan McGregor or alike.With these role changes this would have been a world class movie, but even "as is" it was a huge delight to see.Mads Mikkelsen was absolutely perfect in his role.Now I am eager to see more films from Ole Bornedal, this Great Danish director!
It could also be based on a true story. I do not know. I did not expect very much when I saw it but it was just impossible to stop watching. The film starts with a terrible accident, realistic! It continues as a very beautiful film and then it starts to be very thrilling. It has many things and you are never bored watching it. Very good characters and also a historical touch which makes it even better. I see a lot of films but this is one of the best I ever seen. I really hope more people see this masterpiece. It is different but absolutely not hard to understand or strange in any way. Just brilliant. I will definitely try to find other films in this category but it is hard to believe I will ever find anything close to this.
I don't really like to write reviews but I've read the one for this particular movie and I can't let others read it and think the movie is as bad as it is accused of being.First of all I've read the book by Herbjorg Wassmo and there is a reason why the original dialog is "my momma left me",Dina is after all like a child.The film simply emphasizes the same aspects as the book.The acting is not at all bad,Maria Bonnevie is simply great,intense and embodies the exact spirit of the wild gray-eyed flamboyant teen.An 18-year-old woman with eyes as old as stones.If you have the opportunity to watch it I strongly recommend you do because it can change your perception on life.You find yourself asking do the people around me exist or is the world full of insipid people who I should look through? Dina's character is simply magnetic and you can't help not being attracted to her and hating those who get to be around her while you can't.I especially enjoyed the scenes where she plays the cello,seeing her hold it between her thighs,seeing her possess it like she does with everything from her horses to men.And some of the most enjoyable scenes are the ones where Dina is either in the presence of Lorch or Tomas,fascinating characters themselves each addicted to Dina in his own way.I loved this movie and I wouldn't recommend it if I wouldn't know you will too.
This movie is one of the best cast films I have ever seen.The acting from Maria Bonnevie(Dina)is amazing. Totally realistic in a not-over-the-top way. The script is fantastic ("then my momma left me" - be aware that this film is primarily Norwegian with a mix of Danish/French/Swedish - not American - and is set in the 1860's). Supporting actors like Gerard Depardieu, Hans Matheson and Mads Mikkelsen really sets it off. And I don't know where they found the young-en to play the young Dina but she was perfect. To round it off you have breathtaking scenery and a brilliant soundtrack. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good drama.