This is a fine example of European cinema doing what it does best - focusing on a small story set against a larger backdrop.
In this instance, the backdrop is the end of the world, courtesy of an unexplained illness or viral agent that prevents people from going out into the open. A kind of extreme agoraphobia that, if pressed, leads to death via a heart attack.
The small story which is set against this is one man's attempt to be reunited with his girlfriend after the infection/illness/virus leaves everyone trapped in the buildings in which they worked or lived.
It's nicely acted and not over the top for the most part. Towards the end there is a tendency to ramp things up, but nothing that you see on screen is particularly unbelievable.
I guess, to audiences used to Hollywood blockbusters, this movie might seem slow, or pedestrian and not action-filled enough. But if you fancy a change from usual American CGI-fests, then this will suit you down to the ground, providing of course, that you do not mind subtitles.
I'm not really sure what the complaints about the ending are. It seemed to follow on quite logically from the rest of the movie and gave the movie a final, upbeat moment that gave hope for humanity. A "civilisation is gone, but humanity endures" kind of deal that sat very nicely with me.
Again, its not the "happy-ever-after" ending that were used to from Hollywood, but it is nice to have a different take on what constitutes a good ending.
SUMMARY: Nicely done post-apocalyptic movie that revels in its smaller story. No saving the world here, just a solid story. Recommended.
In this instance, the backdrop is the end of the world, courtesy of an unexplained illness or viral agent that prevents people from going out into the open. A kind of extreme agoraphobia that, if pressed, leads to death via a heart attack.
The small story which is set against this is one man's attempt to be reunited with his girlfriend after the infection/illness/virus leaves everyone trapped in the buildings in which they worked or lived.
It's nicely acted and not over the top for the most part. Towards the end there is a tendency to ramp things up, but nothing that you see on screen is particularly unbelievable.
I guess, to audiences used to Hollywood blockbusters, this movie might seem slow, or pedestrian and not action-filled enough. But if you fancy a change from usual American CGI-fests, then this will suit you down to the ground, providing of course, that you do not mind subtitles.
I'm not really sure what the complaints about the ending are. It seemed to follow on quite logically from the rest of the movie and gave the movie a final, upbeat moment that gave hope for humanity. A "civilisation is gone, but humanity endures" kind of deal that sat very nicely with me.
Again, its not the "happy-ever-after" ending that were used to from Hollywood, but it is nice to have a different take on what constitutes a good ending.
SUMMARY: Nicely done post-apocalyptic movie that revels in its smaller story. No saving the world here, just a solid story. Recommended.