Review of Jauja (2014) by Nguyen Thuy H — 05 Apr 2016

Oddball from director Lisandro Alonso with Viggo Mortensen in the lead as the Danish and Spanish speaking man that's on some sort of trip with his daughter. They are wandering in an open, desert-like area. We don't know exactly where they are ore where they are going. We know there are some creepy guys there, that want's the young daughter, and that there's a murderous man in a dress someplace in the district. Well, the girl gets separated from her dad and he takes up the hunt. He does a great job here, by the way. He seem pretty outwarn after some playtime. There are not much else to the plot here.

Shot in 4:3 format with rounded corners, capturing amazing nature scenery with slow - if any - movement and shots mostly passing the minute. Every frame seem like an image, some of them are outrageously beautiful. Absorb the images. Try cathing the drift. Maybe you will be rewarded.

Not a film for everyone, it's loved or hated by critics. If you are in for something linear or entertainment you should stay away from this artsy western. Poetical, mysterious, weird and open film, that's very challanging. I got some mixed feelings here, but this will be a grower on me. It's It reminds me of so many great films, but it still stands out from all of them. "Valhalla Rising", "Stalker" or something Reygadas or Ceylan could have done comes quickly to mind.

The negative part was some boring, almost dragging parts. It's easy to slip out of the mood here, it's not that interesting. The fantatic job by cinematographer Timo Salminen make sure it will stick with me, so I guess I'm on the "love"-side of the critic's splitting.

8 out of 10 toy soliders.