Review of Submarino (2010) by Matthew S — 28 May 2015

An emotional brutal study of two brothers who suffer the all too realistic challenges of having been the children of an abusive and addicted parent. Vinterberg's film is more emotional than what I am used to seeing in Scandinavian film, but he also spares no punches in depicting an intensely violent and bleak world in which both characters seem to be stuck.

This does not feel like a cultural criticism as both brothers appear to have a great deal of social service support available to them. The challenge seems to be that both of the brothers were never given the tools to learn to trust and reach for help when they need it.

One using his rage to cope and the other using drugs. This is a first rate production with some very impressive performances. And, perhaps most importantly, one does find a bit of hope for the future as the film comes to a close.

This is hope is tied so closely to realism that film leaves its audience all the more aware of the unpredictability of humanity built on such a weak foundation. Potent stuff.