Pure

This movie has captured my curiosity not only by its synopsis but also by the fact that it is led by one of my favourite artists (and recently awarded an Oscar for best actress in a supporting role) Alicia Vikander, it was good to see the actress in her most genuine "form" by the fact that she spokes in her home language- Swedish.

The truth is that I did not knew (or knew very vaguely) Swedish cinema however, after having seen this film I can say that it have exceeded my expectations, expectations such that, I confess, were not very high given that I didn't knew the director.

What I can say is that I really loved both the argument (produced this also by Lisa Langseth) as the story developed around the same. Referring to other components of the production I can enhance the quality of the interpretations and the whole soundtrack chosen and produced for the film, soundtrack that I am listen attentively while I am writing this review.

In relation to the plot in particular I have to say that I loved it! The changes in the character of Katarina thrill anyone minimally wrapped in the story; how the protagonist excels itself leaving behind a life unworthy and unhappy to build gradually her space in society is indeed remarkable and worthy of being highlighted. To conclude I can only say that I really liked it! Excellent job of production and an argument very emotive, it is without doubt a great message and I advise anyone to watch it.

Ricardo Sacadura.

Awful film - not one star only, because of some good acting and some good cinematography! Artsy-fartsy story about classical music and poetry as well as (the film-makers want us to think) love. A conductor has an affair with a 31-year-old younger receptionist, and they actually want us to think that it's romantic and beautiful. When he talks about music, art or literature, it's nothing less than ridiculous. I'm a musician myself, and if I ever worked with a conductor, speaking such nonsense, I made sure that either he or I quit the job. I don't know towards what kind of audience this picture is directed, but it certainly won't satisfy people who know anything about art or classical music, and is very unlikely to convince viewers who don't - unless they pretend that they do. I'm afraid, there's plenty of those, since the film was quite a success.

Pure (2010)

A stunning performance by young actress Alicia Vikander and intelligent direction (and strong writing) from Lisa Langseth makes this Swedish film a must see.

When 20 year old Katarina finds an escape from her troubled life in a symphony hall, life turns completely around. And she almost keeps up with the change. But her naivite and powerlessness get in her way, as more powerful or misdirected people in the symphony read her signals the wrong way.

That simple set up is all Vikander needs to make her character writhe and shine and fall into despair on screen. It's psychologically tough, beautifully filmed, paced with a sense of importance. I really liked this all around. The story does in ways fall into a familiar power dynamic between older man and younger woman, and so there is by the end something missing there. But other aspects compensate, and Vikander makes small details revelations throughout.

Well, the script might raise some questions at some points but this doesn't really matter. The intensity, the power and credibility of Alicia Vikanders' performance in this movie blows away the story lines. The sober direction of the movie underlines her performance. One of the best performances I've seen in the last years.

The script is touching many subjects such as poverty, coming-to-age and gender issues, without digging deep in any of them. It is the acting which gives the depth of the emotion to this movie. When she is asked to dance in front of the conductor in a most humiliating way, the scene is so painful that the buildup to the climax feels almost logical emotionally. This is not about ethics, but during the movie, you get dragged into the wild emotions of Katarina. And this is to me the essence of the movie: a young wild women fighting her way through a very troubled life. I don't think the director intends to ask our approval or even sympathy, but wants us to take a journey on the emotional roller-coaster of Katarina, so brilliantly performed by Alicia Vikander. Simply breathtaking.

What would you do to get out of the guat (thanks John Hughes) you find yourself in? This is the central question posed by our protagonist played by Alicia Vikander in an early role before embarking into Hollywood superstardom. In a story w/echoes of the Dardennes' Rosetta, we have a woman whose found her calling in life but due to a mistake in judgment, she'll do anything to keep her station. At once harrowing, traumatic but ultimately uplifting, Pure's heroine gets her due but at what cost?