Review of Victoria (2015) by Martin I — 30 Mar 2016

You know you've seen something special when the cinematographer is credited before the director.

No, this isn't a visually spectacular blockbuster with a $200million budget. It's not directed by Christopher Nolan, nor does it have a D.O.P you're familiar with. "Victoria" is however just as good and even more impressive than any film with such attributes.

Shot in one take ("Birdman", I hear you cry!), Victoria applies what could be a cheap stunt of filmmaking to a thoroughly engaging story in and of itself; thus raising the stakes and making it all into a truly immersive piece of cinema.

This is no dodgy looking "found footage" deal either. There is some truly great framing and visuals found within the journey; pulling you in with our characters and allowing you to feel along with them. Almost too easily does Sturla Brandth Grøvlen weave deftly between the intimate, personal character study and the fraught drama. Such mastery of subtleties is rarely found in films. The actors, director Sebastian Schipper and Sturla Brandth Grøvlen deserve immense credit.

It stands up with European cinema's finest work. Those not familiar with such work may not share my enthusiasm, but I'll take this over another reboot or sequel any day.

Rarely does a film deserve to be seen more than once. Last years Birdman, in my opinion, in one of those films. Victoria shares a defining trait of that work but is spectacular for different reasons.

Best film of 2016? Even more so that The Revenant? You bet.