Not expecting much at all I found this drama a rewarding experience, so intense it affected me for days and I rate it as one of the best films I have seen this year.
A little town on the North Sea coastline is virtually run by the local church, narrow in its views to an extreme. Strangers are viewed with suspicion, women take no part in church activities (except perhaps in washing the floors) and even the church bells have been taken down. Who needs to disturb the peace with such frivolous bell-ringing?
When Bess a local virgin marries Jan an off-shore oil rigger, the whole town is set a-gossiping but Jan and Bess are free spirits who enjoy moments of intense love for each other.
The hand held camera work I thought was great. It gave a sort of intimacy and excitement to the movie. The editing too left no dull moments.
I liked Jan's workmates, a rowdy bunch of fellows, full of fun in the changerooms Their childlike teasing contrasted well with the awful tragedy that was about to unfold
Bess and Jan make a strange contract when Jan ceases to be able to function as a virile man. The arrangement is as preposterous as the outcome, but it is made unselfishly in consideration for each other.
The acting is superb under the direction of a great director. Dear Bess is quite a bundle to handle. Although she is considered mentally unstable she analyses her feelings, speaks from her heart and communes with God in her darkest moments, in her hour of need.
This is truly great film making.
A little town on the North Sea coastline is virtually run by the local church, narrow in its views to an extreme. Strangers are viewed with suspicion, women take no part in church activities (except perhaps in washing the floors) and even the church bells have been taken down. Who needs to disturb the peace with such frivolous bell-ringing?
When Bess a local virgin marries Jan an off-shore oil rigger, the whole town is set a-gossiping but Jan and Bess are free spirits who enjoy moments of intense love for each other.
The hand held camera work I thought was great. It gave a sort of intimacy and excitement to the movie. The editing too left no dull moments.
I liked Jan's workmates, a rowdy bunch of fellows, full of fun in the changerooms Their childlike teasing contrasted well with the awful tragedy that was about to unfold
Bess and Jan make a strange contract when Jan ceases to be able to function as a virile man. The arrangement is as preposterous as the outcome, but it is made unselfishly in consideration for each other.
The acting is superb under the direction of a great director. Dear Bess is quite a bundle to handle. Although she is considered mentally unstable she analyses her feelings, speaks from her heart and communes with God in her darkest moments, in her hour of need.
This is truly great film making.