1. I think that he definitely attempted to deconstruct a typical genre film by buiding up certain expectations among the viewers and shift the narrative into a different direction. I personally liked how the film became slower and quieter after the accident scene, and even the revenge one anticipates finally doesn´t take place. Spielmann´s true intention while using certain devices is far from Hichtcock´s and instead of building of tention in order to shock or disturb the viewer, he is rather interested in depicting compassion and forgiveness.
2. I can´t really answer this since it´s your personal perception of the scene. Obviously both are to blame for what happened, I find the US-release tagline: “Whose fault is it if life doesn’t go your way?” to be quite interesting. Unlike in many revenge-based Hollywood films that center around the irrational drive for revenge, Alex and Robert are portrayed as complex and vulnerable human beings who doubt their actions and change opinions. The final decision of Alex to stay with his father is at the same time surprising and understandable, and may be the best he can do to find some kind of happiness.
3. I don´t know wether the pregnancy symbolizes anything, but it´s at least striking that one life is taken away and another one is given. I think that Alex might have thought about revenge when he first met with Susanne at her house, but it finally turned out that his need for understanding and companionship is that which dominates.
4. He is the protagonist´s father. That´s it.
Apusansar said, “Unlike in many revenge-based Hollywood films that center around the irrational drive for revenge, Alex and Robert are portrayed as complex and vulnerable human beings who doubt their actions and change opinions.”
Right, and generally, this would appeal to me, but I’m not sure why it didn’t appeal to me more. It feels a little superficial to me, at least that’s how I would describe me reaction.
“The final decision of Alex to stay with his father is at the same time surprising and understandable, and maybe the best he can do in order to find some kind of happiness.”
But why does Alex arrive at that conclusion? A part of me feels like it’s Alex’s way to atone for what he did wrong. Does his decision stem from his desire to escape from the city—as if the filmmaker is taking a romanticized view of the country (city root of evil; return man to nature and he’ll be good, etc.). The last scene is of Alex picking up an apple and walking back to the house/building, and that fits with that interpretation.
In a way, this ties into Susanne as well. Susanne shows true compassion and kindness towards Alex’s grandfather, and this may have pointed Alex to his final decision. Susanne’s compassion may have also disgusted Alex because of the hate and guilt that he felt. At the same time, Susanne’s caring and outgoing personality may have drew Alex to her.
Just thinking out loud…
Btw, I intended the Hitchcock comparison only to go as far as the way the film misdirected the audience in the way similar to the first act in Psycho.
Jazzaloha
I just saw this recently, and I was a bit undewhelmed. But I haven’t really spent the time to analyze the film, so I thought I’d ask some of you to “do the work for me”—especially those of you who loved the film. Here are some random thoughts/questions (spoilers):
1. The first act seemed like a set-up (misdirection similar to Psycho), but I didn’t find this very effective. Do you thihk Spielmann wanted the audience to expect a thriller and then switch to a psychological examination of guilt, revenge and responsibility? Or was he merely trying to establish his characters? If it’s the latter, I thought that section could have been shorter;
2. The conversation between Alex and Robert didn’t really have much of an impact on me. I’m not sure why. Alex realizes that he may be just as much to blame as Robert (perhaps, he blamed himself the whole time). That was a nice “twist,” and I liked that he threw the gun away (nice ripple effect with the wind). But I’m not sure why I didn’t like this part of the film more.
3. There’ s something “redemptive” of Susanne getting pregnant (symbolizing a new life for everyone?). I liked the irony that this “gift” comes from Alex (who may have partly slept with Susanne out of revenge).
4. What was the significance of the grandfather in the film?