H.

I wish I could get the 90 minutes I spent on this movie back. What a horrible aimless film. If you like staring at a tree for 3 minutes at a time and zero satisfaction at the end, then this is the movie for you. If not, then pick something else.

I saw 'H' at Berlinale this year and I thought that this film was brilliant. I loved the characters, both Helen's and their juxtaposing yet equally heart provoking struggle with children really captured my attention. The ending was also something spectacular and heart wrenching. Also, I found the twists in the myth to be just enough that the film had a 'modern day' feel without deviating from the originals too much.

It was visually stunning, the cinematography and transitions between shots and even 'Acts' were very pleasing to the eye, as were the location choices. I feel however that if you were not completely familiar with the myths you may be quite confused for a small portion of the film, until it became obvious to every viewer what was happening. Saying that, I would absolutely recommend this film to anyone even slightly interested in mythology, and even if you are not.

I thought it touched a bit upon the experimental realm of filmmaking, and it was definitely very well done. Not everything in life is going to answer all your questions. Sometimes you just take something in and then see how well you do figuring them out on your own.

The film is apt to be somewhat fun to watch for anyone familiar with Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, though likely far slower and artier than the average viewer is apt to enjoy. There are lots of local businesses that appear, and roads that are recognizable like Hoosick Road, Oakwood Avenue and probably Farrell Road. The geography is a little confusing when it comes to the Lake George references. Lake George is more than a little than "just outside of Troy" as it's described - it's about an hour's drive north and two counties away.

The Helen statue's head that's seen floating along - that's not in Lake George as some viewers interpret it, but in the Hudson River that runs along the west side of the City of Troy.

The story? You're best off turning to interviews of the directors online. Childhood readings of Greek mythology, not revisited, contributed as well as some real-life things abut which they'd read, further influenced by the eventual choice of Troy as the primary shooting location.

There is nothing better than when a movie frightens you, or disturbs you without having to throw special effects at you from around a dark corner. I almost didn't watch this. I am glad I did. This is not a horror film. But it has that perfect blend of an off putting mood, and an unsettling atmosphere. If you like scary movies because of the vibe of the movie and not the special effects, this is a diamond in the ruff. These kind of movies are so rare, unfortunately. It is an apocalyptic movie, without the actual apocalypse. At times you feel like there are religious under tones. They leave a lot of the elements of the what feels to be inevitable unfolding of the end of world to your imagination, but give you enough to know that something unearthly is happening.