MovieChat Forums > Uno (2004) Discussion > Simply excellent

Simply excellent

posted 14 years ago by Zhow
1 reply | jump to latest

*******Possible spoliers********

I saw Uno for the first time 4 years ago and I've been thinking regularly about it since then, hoping to get a DVD or see it on TV. Finally, I found a decent copy of the movie and it was really a great pleasure to see this powerfil film again.

I didn't really know what to expect as I'm not familiar with Norwegian cinema. But the first scene and the first look cast by Aksel Hennie are simply mesmerizing. Then the excellent cinematography grabs you and captivates you, supported by a well written plot with a rather unexpected ending (as opposed to most movies where the bad guys must pay for their crimes). It's dark, bleak, but I think I saw a little smile on David's face during the last scene when he's lying of the ground which may suggest that a part of his life is finally over and that he can now start moving on to something better. After facing the injustice of his human condition, betrayal and physical abuse, David resurrects and understands that some changes may be painful.

When I found out that Aksel Hennie wrote the script, directed the movie and played the main part, I was positively surprised to realize that only one man could divide himself into 3 different persons and overlap all his artistic abilities. Everything is under control but nothing is stiff. All the characters are subtly written and played beatifully by talented artists. I really liked the connection between the card game Uno and the chapters of the movie. Great idea.

This is not a postcard movie. As a foreigner, I have sometimes some prejudices regarding other countries and I had never thought that Norway had an underground world as the one described in Uno. Of course, it's easily understadable that each country or main city has their dark side. But Norway is mostly described as the land of the Lofoten and great landscapes, and Oslo is seen as a rich Western city. Big schock, then. Uno is an intense and powerful movie which deserves a better international recognition. This a violently human, sincere and emotional journey into an existential drama.

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The higher you fly, the faster you fall.

[–] yuit234 14 years ago

Couldn't agree more with the review above. Its a movie that portrays Inner City life better then most movies around. I think alot of people will be able to relate to David character and how he develops throughout the film. From the start where he doesn't really get involve in family life and lazy, shown by the fact how long it took for him to realise that his brother didn't actually know how to play the game of cards. It also shows how the street actually use him and didn't care too much about his welfare even after how loyal he was to them. I agree the end David did smile as I think it was the start of a new beginning and he finally knew what was important to him. A touching movie which I will definitely watch again.