Monday, September 28, 2015

The Seagull's Laughter 2001


Seagull's Laughter     The setting is the post-war provincial Icelandic village of Hafnarfjordur of early 1950.  Freyja was a plump teen but she's not anymore when she returns from America.  She said her American serviceman husband died of a heart attack.  The townspeople are not sure if she was really married and moves into cramped quarters with her grandma.  There are already a lot of people living here and Agga who is 11 years old needs to sleep on a cot in her former room now that is now Freyja’s room. Agga adores and hates Freyja but she also believes Freyja killed her first husband?  The first item on Freyja’s agenda is to find a new husband.  There are only two eligible men in the village for her to concentrate on.  One is an engineer who lives with his mother but he is engaged to the mayor’s daughter.  The other is a young policeman.  The engineer has a better job and house so he will be the first target.
     People who live in cold climates do not think the same way as people living in warmer areas!!  The cold gets into their minds and also there is the extended time with less daylight.  Freya thinks about only one person and that is herself and her needs.  She must have a slim body, beautiful clothing, flowing long hair and all eyes upon her, especially the eyes of the men.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

102 min, Drama directed by Agust Guomundsson with Margret Vilhajalmsdottir, Ugla Egilsdottir, Henio Ferch, Hilmir Snaer Guonason, Kristbjorg Kjeld, Edda Bjorg Eyjolfsdottir, Bara Lyngdal Magnusdottir.

Note:  Imdb 6.9 out of 10, 84% critic 69% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*.
Special Note:  This movie is filled with Glenn Miller and other swing band songs from the war era.  It opens and closes with the song Sh-boom.

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