By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Balthasar Kormákur
Starring: Hilmir Snær Guðnason | Laufey Elíasdóttir | Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir | Ólafur Darri Ólafsson
Original language title: Brúðguminn
Country: iceland
Year: 2008
Running time: 96
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1114712/
Bruce says: “WHITE NIGHT WEDDING is loosely based on Chekhov’s little-known, first full length play, Ivanov. Jon (Hilmir Snær Guðnason) is a local professor who bought a house on Flatey Island, Iceland’s northernmost island, when his wife Anna was still alive. She died a lonely and tragic death leaving Jon to juggle his guilt and desire. Before his wife died Jon began having an affair with Thora (Laufey Elíasdóttir) the daughter of his nearby neighbors. Anna caught the lovers in flagrante delicto and the shock may have hastened her death.
“The film jumps back and forth in time and challenges the viewer to fill in some blanks to complete the puzzle. Rather than sticking to Chekhov’s focus on plot and character development, Balthasar Kormákur has added a surreal touch to the proceedings. That works quite well with the Chekhov undercurrent of things not being what they appear. Geography plays an important role. The time is summer and night holds no darkness. The midnight sun places an additional layer of stress on everyone.
“Thora and Jon are getting married. Tongues are wagging for more reasons than one. She is eighteen years his junior and was a student in one of his classes. Jon and a friend on the island welshed on a real estate deal with the bride’s parents. Jon’s best friend Sjonni (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), who is to be the best man, arrives by boat and proceeds to get sloshed. The night before the wedding the volatility of the situation reaches a fever pitch. Thora’s father is thrilled that he is gaining a drinking buddy in the family; her mother, who believes that the marriage is merely a clever way to dodge paying off the debt that is owed, is annoyed. Her daughter’s happiness is not a factor in any of her formulas.
“Balthasar Kormákur is a director to watch. He burst on the international scene in with 101 REYKJAVIK and has had success since with JAR CITY, THE SEA and A LITTLE TRIP TO HEAVEN. Hilmir Snær Guðnason is brilliant as the guilt-ridden Jon, a man torn betweenguilt, intellect and passion. The supporting cast is comprised of excellent character actors. Scenes which verge on slapstick nearly ruin the overtone of the story proving not all styles mix well together. 4 cats
“WHITE NIGHT WEDDING screened at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.”