REPRISE DVD Review

From the very opening sequence, I knew I’d love this film. It’s smart, funny, original and boldly redefines filmic semantics inherited from the long history of world cinema. Two lifelong friends, Phillip and Erik, each submit manuscripts to publishers setting in motion a chain reaction of events that leads them to find literary success while struggling with creative downfalls, eventually traveling the world to fall in and out of love with enigmatic beautiful women. All this in the first five minutes. Suddenly this future history sequence of shots abruptly returns to the moment when the two friends are about to drop their manuscripts into the postal box, and the real world of this film begins anew.

Phillip (Anders Danielsen Lie) and Erik (Espen Klouman-Høiner) are easily identifiable as dual protagonist, allowing the viewer to quickly connect with their ups and downs as they navigate the complexities of modern life. When one finds his manuscript accepted, the other’s is rejected, thus setting in motion two unfolding parallel plot lines that establish different goals for the two characters. The plot still involves beautiful women to fall in love with, namely Kari (Viktoria Wing) whose dazzling charm casts a spell over each scene she is in. World travel is also included with sojourns to Paris for needed respite and romance before returning to Oslo, Norway where most of the film takes place.

Drawing on the stylistic influences of early world cinema, the film nevertheless creates an original take on non-Hollywood aesthetics. The delft blending of lyrical internal emotions with realistic plots, characters and settings comes directly from Poetic Realism, the exclusive use of on-location filmmaking with non-professional actors reminds one of Neo-Realism, and the non-linear elliptical editing is oh so New Wave. However, this film is different from the others by its original take on all these been-there-done-that styles that were hashed out years ago. The result is unexpected and surprising, keeping you guessing as to how these two plot lines will become resolved.

The film on this DVD is presented in the 1.85:1 widescreen format conveniently enhanced for 16x9 televisions. The original Norwegian language track is the only available audio track presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital, and the subtitles are in English and Spanish. Numerous featurettes include: Casting Reprise, a curious look at how the filmmakers found unknown actors for the roles after an exhaustive search for new talent along with several interviews with the actors themselves. All In The Trier’s Details is an interview with a very humble director (Joachim Trier) discussing his working relationships with his crew intercut with footage taken on and off the set. Anecdotes is an interview with the director and co-screenwriter discussing their own anecdotal stories about friendships which became the basis of the film. Love’s Not Easy explores actors acting in love scenes and the myriad of challenges faced by the filmmakers. Deleted Scenes are, yes you guessed it, deleted scenes. Finally my favorite featurette is So Sorry, a very funny sequence of shots of the actors saying ‘sorry’, honestly, it’s funny, trust me on this one.

The most remarkable impression this film had on me was how universally identifiable the plots and characters seem, particularly in a film that pushes the rules of conventional filmmaking. Usually I cringe whenever I see a modern film deliberately undermining the viewing experience with a ‘voice of God’ voice-over narration and jump cuts because they always remind me that I’m watching a film. Whereas the stylistic conventions of earlier European movements were often forced to deal with limited material circumstances, they were always based on theoretical conventions. With Reprise we see a good example of how these many different techniques and styles can be reinvigorated in a new and original way that stays true to these conventions. Everything seem natural and honest, allowing us the viewer to become fully engrossed in the individual characters’ drama as they attempt to live life moment to moment.