Dragonflies (2001)

Wonderful character development!

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Eddie is a chubby beardy bear of bloke living out in a big wood timbered farmhouse next to a lake with his young girlfriend Marie; far away from everyone and everything ."All i want is you" says she. "And i want you" says he. Cushty. Maria is up the duff.But somebody is going to ruin this lovely life in a minute. Cue Kullman. He too wants some of what they want."You have a good life" says Kullman envious. "Want to play a game?" He gets them both to close their eyes. Boo! "You knew something horrible was going to happen. And then it did. That's what makes it so terrible" says Kullman. Maria doesn't want to play. She's sussed his game.After this I'm suspecting Kullman is going to be a menace in a psycho nutcase kind of way. And as if to confirm this suspicion he's deliberately sliced his leg with a chainsaw to get to stay longer. She knows. Then neighbours dog is in boot of Kullmans car dead. Claims he ran over it. Next, a nearby barn is on fire."She's too good for you" says Kullman to Eddie. And for a while Eddie goes a bit bonkers with jealous rage.A distinct change has taken place: it's Eddie – rather than Kullman – who is "ruining everything" stamping about and chucking tiles off the roof. His aggressive old thuggish self is jumping about, scaring Marie off. Kullman, by contrast, seems like a little boy lost, just wanting to belong, be accepted, be included; share in some of the good stuff Eddie has been having (living here in this rural idyll with the lovely Marie) The Bad Guy role has been subtly switched. Gradually, I'm feeling more sympathetically inclined towards Kullman – which i guess is what i was meant to feel.At the end Eddie comes back to his cuddly - huggy baby - bear self again. Although he does give a metaphorical slap to Kullmans face: "You were never really a friend, not really". And Kullman is left there, friendless, alone, unwanted, rejected. Yes, i did feel sorry for him.Its a relief the film hasn't got all silly with contrived thriller genre plotty twists and potty turns. It's kept true to its melancholic undertow, mostly – stayed close to its quiet Norwegian roots.

I just saw this film for the second time.For me it's one of the most enjoyable Scandinavian films of the millennium.Great acting by the 4 leads (especially the little boy) and very intriguing surroundings.And it's not only entertaining, there's lot's of subtlety in the story,watch it over again if you missed that! I also like the free-wheeling style, there's plenty of nudity shown in a funny way (Michel Persbrandt full frontal and Maria Bonnevie topless, mmmh!) , obviously some keywords missing here...Not at least: The soundtrack is beautiful and fits the film perfectly!My vote is 8,5 / 10

Øyenstikker is a stick in the eye of big budget films.An edge-of-the-seat thriller that delves deep into the dilemma of blind loyalty and how long that loyalty can last as it threatens to destroy all around you.An ex-con stumbles across a long-lost, but not forgotten, partner-in-crime. As the chance encounter turns into a night of celebrated reunion "after 5 years....without even a visit", the subtle hints of debts unpaid begins to unravel in a sinister, yet, compelling fashion as Øyenstikker brilliantly contrasts the calmness and idyllic backdrop of the Norwegian countryside with the dark undertones of unbridled jealousy and bitterness.If you liked Fargo you'll love this gem.

I saw this film at the 2002 Chicago International Film Festival. I really enjoyed the film as I was (and still am) completely mesmerized by Maria Bonnevie. Holst's use of digital video really captured how beautiful she truly is. She isn't the only good thing about this movie though. The relationship between Eddie and Kullman is rather interesting. After having spent time in jail and taking the rap for Eddie, Kullman sees Eddie at a gas station. From there, things can only go downhill. Kullman wants Eddie to help him shake some guy down that owes him money. Eddie refuses until he gets sick and hallucinates (?) that Kullman and his wife Maria are screwing around on him. Eddie, who may once have been a thug, seems to have changed. He takes a neighborhood kid fishing and tries to teach him to swim. He has changed from his previous life. This all coincides with Maria becoming pregnant. I do have to say that the scene where they go to shake the man down was a little disappointing and anticlimactic. Nonetheless, it was an interesting way to show how old ghosts come back to haunt you. I gave this film an 8 and would highly suggest it to anyone. If anyone knows how to get a copy of this in any form here in the States please post it because I would love to own a copy.