frantastika

I knew nothing about her and this movie just showed me in 2hr beautiful photography and amazing acting (Laura Birn/ Helene, friend and mother) but little else. It seems to me that there was much more to see that her suffering about her lover around all, ALL the time. Her paintings are shown very little, the sparse dialogue and the slow pace are there for dissimulate a poor script and direction. Helene Schjerfbeck deserves something better than this film.

I watched the film last night during the Black History Month screening in my city. I am not from North America so the name of Harriet was something that I have heard but I did not know how important she was and how brave. I am sure that the film is not accurate because is still done in a Hollywood style. I will not defend that because I agree with the other comments: try to make it accurate does not take the fun away from it. However,many people know nothing about this incredible woman and the film could spark, at the very least, and immense respect and curiosity for her, to learn about her accomplishments. The acting was great and I was talking with many people after the film and the majority felt that they need to read about her, learn more. The comments that recommend other films and to look the information are useful and maybe we will get to see more films about her.... maybe a mini-series? She definitely deserves it.

This film take me by surprise, original and captivating. Usually I read something about the film before heading to the cinema but in this case I saw the trailer and read the quickly description. I'm mentioning this because affects yours/my mood and expectatives about the film, before even seeing the film, and your opinion of it. This films plays with different styles and the narrative is a metaphorical one. The beginning of the film set the pace and there is some humour there when you least expected. However all this funny bit and pieces that I enjoyed are related to the fact that I speak spanish, and the rhythm of the conversations, the tone of how things are said, can lead to laugh and enjoy the absurd moment or see it as a truly dramatic one. There is a another layer that talk about how we "slowly get used to" corruption and crime as far as we don't get our benefits taken away and our placid lives interrupted... too much. If you wanna see a film about a crime and a mystery, this film may disappoint you... if you go with a good open mood, you may have a great time!