The End *spoiler - Mávahlátur (2004) Discussion

[–] too_uneeq 18 years ago

I don't think so, I think she realized the turmoil an investigation would cause, and it wasn't worth sacrificing the other women just to get to Freya.

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[–] CocoPom 18 years ago

No. She wasn't making it up at all...she just realized how that (hot) police officer was patronizing her still...I think he believed her too, or knew something probably did happen, which is why he initially reacted so angrily. So he decided to let her think, ok, let's keep this quiet, like a little secret investigastion between us, we'll figure this out together...but she was too smart, wiser and not really like the little girl he thought she was, therefore she knew it was all useless trying to continue on like that.

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[–] girlypoo 18 years ago

I agree. She didn't appreciate being patronized by the (yes, VERY hot) police officer--so she acted like she baited him with a lie--and then used his own words about Agga being ..'the biggest liar in town' against him. So, as the scene ends, it shows his face looking like WTF? It was a great movie--another couple of scenes I liked were in the church at the funeral, when Fayjek looked like she was going to laugh when she looked at her sisters and when Agga is telling the Officer about the murder and (within her re-enactment) Nanna is saying, 'I've seemed to run out of coffee substitute.' It's friggin hilarious! It reminded me of MY Nanna--who you can't leave her house without her cooking you something! IOMO!

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[–] sim7396 17 years ago

IOMO?? Is that Icelandic? (asking tongue in cheek).

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[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] bellibone808 17 years ago

As a whole, I enjoyed this movie very much. But, to me, it was also one of those films that is made all the better by the ending. It isn't what I would consider an actual "twist", nor is it what I'd call "open-ended" (since it's fairly clear what happens). But that last scene gives the movie that little something extra; I guess I'd call it a sort of "Huh!" quality. At any rate, I just really liked it.

This movie, and Hafio (2002), while COMPLETELY different in feel, do have some odd similarities that go beyond their both being Icelandic; enough so, that I would recommend the other, to anyone who has seen only one of the two films.

Hafio is based on a play.
Mavahlatur, on a book.

Both are "familial" dramas.

Both have a character/characters who return to Iceland at the start of the film.

Both have interesting characters that a viewer can invest in enough, to want to know more about; including angst-y (pre)teens coping with the actions of their adult family members.

Both have a darker, drollish humor, about them. Mavahlatur, however, is by far the cheerier of the two.

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[–] Steinninn_is 17 years ago

Well, it's Hafið, not Hafio, if you can't write "ð" I'd suggest you write "d" instead. Just a friendly suggestion.

Second, what's with the long whitespace?

And back to topic. I didn't rely like the ending. I think Ugla didn't act that very in that sceen. I can't see Magnús, the police man, believing her. He must see trough what she's thinking. If I'd be him I would still arest the women.
------------------------
steinninn.is

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[–] 314133 7 years ago

Thanks for explaining.

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[–] 314133 7 years ago

Thank you for explaining it to me.

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[–] 314133 7 years ago

Thank you for your reply.

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[–] blainefielding 17 years ago

I think to understand the ending you have to see the movie very much as a coming-of-age tale. For me Agga is much more the hero-heroine?- than Freya.

We watch Agga age from 11 to 14, from child to young adult. In the beginning she is a truth teller, the only one who sees what is really going on and who is willing to act on her knowledge. But, by the end she has become much more wise. She understands that the cop who scorned her as a child now is attracted to her sexually. He is is just using the promised investigation to get close to her.

Agga thus goes beyond Freya who just uses men to advance herself. Agga becomes every bit as cynical about men as Freya, but she is more principled.

This is very much a feminist film, but it goes beyond mere vengance.

Blaine

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[–] jmorrissey 16 years ago

perfect synopsis. it was a very feminist movie. i really think agga realized that the cop (Hilmur) was going to use her, just like men do.

the cop is sooooo handsome. check out 101 reykjavik and ofid. his name is hilmur and when i was in iceland i looked to stalk him but to no avail.

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[–] ppllkk 14 years ago

I agree with much what is being said above, particularly by Blaine. Let me restate it in my own way.

As a child, Agga does not see a male-female split. She is happy to have as a buddy the local symbol of male authority in the society, the policeman.

As Agga becomes a woman, she starts to see the world from the point of view of a woman; in particular, she sees the world the way the female members of her extended family do. She comes to understand that the female world and the male world are frequently in opposition. She has several examples of men treating women badly right under her nose, and she joins the female alliance that the other women have. Agga is coming to understand that women have to stick together in a male dominated world. In so far as they can, the women will solve their problems themselves without involving the official, male world.

Say what you want to of Freyja, she does protect other women, and they protect her.

I think Ugla didn't act that very in that sceen. I can't see Magnús, the police man, believing her. He must see trough what she's thinking. If I'd be him I would still arest the women.

The village policeman has to weigh abstract justice against the effect pursuing that justice would have on the small community. Arresting the women would create bitter divisions around class in the community that might last for generations.

The women would never be convicted. There would never be enough clear evidence to provide certainty; all you would get is a long, drawnout, divisive controversy. (With modern forensics, there would be good evidence, but not in 1952 Iceland.)

What happened was much closer to an accident than to murder. Freyja had no intent to kill her husband; she simply struck out with the item that was at hand when her very drunk husband forced his way through the other women.

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[–] chicago85 17 years ago

No, she didn't make it up. But after she asked the policeman if her granny would be arrested he said everyone involved would be srrested. At this point she realized getting Freya would destroy her family and her own life.

For somone would spent all her time hating her cousin she gave every intention of being the next Freya in the family. Selfish and self centered.

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