As in Heaven

This is an excellent movie all-round. The acting, especially by the main young girl, is fantastic. And the environment which the director evokes -- it's so well done that at times you feel just as trapped as some of the characters are. As in many Nordic films, there is no drawn-out action. Scenes are short when they need to be, like the arrival of the father back, just a little too late. He slaps his daughter, and then there's just a short shot of him hanging around outside. That's all you need to see to know that he's not a stellar parent, that he doesn't take on the responsibilities he should.

I like the realism, too: the blood from the delivery, the quick shot of the state of the woman giving birth.

And finally, I love what was (I think) the complete absence of a sound track. No dumb music telling you how to feel, even in scenes where there is complete silence.

If you think it's boring, you're not paying attention.