I saw Reprise at Sundance 2007. It was one of ten films I saw at Sundance that year, and the one that stood out the most of all the films.

It’s easily one of my favorite films. A beautiful coming-of-age story of two best friends, Phillip and Erik, who are young aspiring writers. As they struggle to find their groove, they face some strong adversities: success, mental illness, self-discovery. The love, the passion of youth, and the energy that Joachim Trier captures in some of the most captivating film making I’ve seen is only further enhanced by the amazing (and amateur) cast he assembled. Both Anders Danielson Lie and Espen Kloumen-Hoiner do a remarkable job at building their characters and their chemistry in a way that’s so natural, you almost forget you’re watching a film and feel like you’re watching your two friends next to you. Viktoria Winge is equally as remarkable as the love interest, Kara, the antagonist, but only in the most subtle and beautiful way.

Joachim Trier (I think he’s the second cousin to Lars Von Trier), completely masters his debut film. Reprise is directed in an intelligent, yet completely unpretentious way. Instantly when I think of an American coming-of-age film, I think of cliche, stupid college humor. If Reprise can even be put into this genre, then I would argue that it redefines it, making it appealing to people who appreciate smarter films. Trier uses many original film techniques to bring the story to life, the use of the subjunctive, speed, camera filters, silence, and film score. He also pays hommage to the French New Wave in a most endearing way.

…and the soundtrack is AMAZING.