Twist and Shout (1984)

Fresh and Exciting

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

As I know the Danish language and society, I include, from time to time, some Danish films or series into my watching list. Particularly those dealing with events before 1990ies, before my personal experience with this great nation and country. And as Bille August is one of the best known Danish directors in the world, it is logical that Tro, håb og kærlighed would appear sooner or later... Well, I suppose "later", as I had seen hundreds of Danish creations already, including August's Pelle Erobreren, so my expectations were apparently too high. No, don't get me wrong, the film in question is skilfully directed and diversely performed (particularly all depicting Erik's family), plus provides a good overview of life in Danish cities in the 1960ies, but the story itself is not smooth, is somewhat "chopped", and some events / reactions by people are not realistic (e.g. during the wedding). The solution/ending is also adumbrative and, all in all, I am not sure that this film (with rather unfitting title in English) does bespeak the youth and families in the 21st century as well, thus not possessing durable approaches and values. But of course, the film is far above being mediocre.

Another solid film from Bille August about adolescence in Denmark the 60s - 1963 this time.This is even a little stronger than August's 'Zappa', if not quite up to Roy Andersson's somewhat similar, brilliant 'A Swedish Love Story'. The Scandinavians seem to have a knack for making emotionally complex films about adolescence. As with 'Zappa' some of this feels very familiar (first love, leading to pregnancy and to abortion that ruins the romance), and some feels a bit forced or unrealistic (would the parents of an upper-class, clearly upwardly mobile and socially conscious family really be quite so positive about their daughter marrying a boy from a humble working class home?). But the two male leads are very good, and there's a lot of specifics and idiosyncrasies that far outweigh the clichés.

It was released at a small art house cinema in 1986 outside Boston. It played for months!Great Danish coming of age story. Bjorn and Erik are good friends...but are torn apart by two girls. Bjorn falls in love with Anna and gets her pregnant. He is also pursued by aggressive rick Kirsten who will do ANYTHING to get him. Meanwhile Erik has to deal with his mentally-ill mother and cheating father.DEFINITE SPOILERS!!!!! Not all of it makes sense--I heard if you know about Danish culture it would work better--but I loved it. Easily the best coming of age story ever made. For one thing all the actors were 16 or 17-the ages they were playing. And this doesn't shy away from touchy subject matter--it has nudity and sex (although the one scene is brief) and a graphic, harrowing abortion sequence. The acting is great too--the friendship between Erik and Bjorn comes through loud and clear. At one showing of this the audience applauded when Erik saves Bjorn from marrying Kristen. Also most of the actors--especially Bjorn and Anna--are very attractive.This has disappeared completely since 1984. That's a shame because it's a wonderful film. Highly recommended if you can find it. A 10.

The Danish movie, Twist and Shout, turned out to be a better movie than I had expected, despite using tired themes of the similar coming-of-age movies. The movie concentrates on the stories of two young friends, Erik and Bjørn. Bjørn is a flamboyant, outgoing kid with a passion for Rock N' Roll and Erik is his reserved, conservative friend. Both learn tough lessons about growing up, each in his own way. For Bjørn, his experiences come from first love when he falls for a lovely young girl named Anna. And we see Bjørn's first love in a way that reminds us of our own experiences that we have had (or will have) towards someone. Says Bjørn, glowing to his friend Erik, "I have never felt this way about anyone before." Sadly, these experiences also lead to a tragedy which force the relationship apart. Bjørn's friend, Kirsten, a wealthy, but empty girl, takes advantage of Bjørn's vulnerability and somehow forces him into a situation so that Kirsten may delude herself that Bjørn will forget all about Anna and find comfort in this new relationship. Bjørn's lessons are of the impossibility of substituting one thing for another. It seems that the value of his first love will live on with him forever.For Erik, his experiences involve his controlling father and a neglected and misunderstood mother. Erik is the shy, conservative kid that he is because of the strict upbringing by his father. Eventually, he comes to doubt his father's rules and loses respect for him as he draws closer to his mother.From his father's stories, it seems that his mother entered some sort of state of schizophrenia, though he said they called it Post Natal Psychosis, and I suppose Erik feels that this is partly his own fault for being born. Embarrassed by his mother at first, he gradually draws closer to her and discovers that she is actually quite a lovable person in that way you find something you love about your mom. And he finds out that his mother starts to feel better, and appears much more vibrant, although Erik's father tries to stop their time together. Erik is forced to defy his father to save his mother. Though it appears that the movie, simply judging by the title, is about two youth's experiences in the Rock N' Roll era, the music is only there as a condition of setting, but not as a drive of story. And though sad, it is still a wonderful film about growing up.