I'll start with 101 Reykjavik. To most of us here in the states, Reykjavik, Iceland was a place where the Winter Olympics were held. Reykjavik is cold most of the year and a good amount of time is spent in the dark. So what is there to do? This film provides us with a enticing slice of what some residents do to fill their time. The film's images are exotic; the editing is tight and the characters are quirky. The performances are delightful. Based on a novel of the same name, the film's characters have a lot to bring to the table and entertain you with. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. One thing to note: I watched a streaming version of the film and the subtitles were significantly behind the action on screen, often running into the next scene. There were some notations about this by other viewers on IMDB who encountered this not only in the US but on a UK streaming site as well. I couldn't find any definitive information regarding the subtitles on the DVD discs.
Each film's main character gets involved in the investigation. The first film, 1974 focuses on a young newspaper writer who is sent to report on the murders and the investigation. The second installment, 1980 presents us with a law enforcement official sent in from an outside law agency (read "Scotland Yard") to assist in solving the murders. The final segment, 1983 takes us on the journey of one of the local law enforcement agents who has become deeply entrenched in the murders over the years and a lawyer who comes back home to bury his mother and ends up representing the jailed man who has been arrested as the killer.
As with any masterful piece of filmmaking, this isn't just about the murders and finding the killer. It's about those whose lives are impacted by them in some way and the forces of the town that may be keeping the murders from being solved for their own protection. In one review that I had read before watching the films, the writer compared them to The Godfather trilogy. I thought that might be a bit over-exaggerated. After seeing them, I must agree.
Each film was shot by a different director but all three were filmed simultaneously. Besides each film having the imprint of each director's talents, they were also filmed in different formats. 1974 was shot 16mm and blown up and cropped to 1.85:1; 1980 was filmed in 2.35:1 and 1983 was filmed in 2.35:1 high definition film. The visual styles enhance the time period of each segment nicely.
The trilogy is based on four novels by David Peace. Due to budget constraints, only three films could be made. The first film covers a 6-year period where the second and third each cover a 3-year period. The novels are: 1974, 1977, 1980 and 1983.
I must make mention of the fact that the accents are so authentic and thick that when they were broadcast in the UK, Channel 4 subtitled much of the dialog. I watched them on Netflix and the prints did not have subtitles. The trilogy is also available on DVD and Blu-ray. In my opinion, the Blu-ray is the best deal, having seen it on sale for as low as $16. The discs would also provide the option of subtitles.
Variety recently announced that an American version of the film is in pre-production and that Tony Scott will be directing. No word as to whether there will be three films or one long epic.
Here's the plot synopsis from IMDB: "A group of friends rent a magnificent house by the sea to spend the summer together. The unexpected arrival of Shary and Diego's son David sets something off in everyone, especially Matteo, an accomplished psychoanalyst who is married to Francesca. David's lonely and enigmatic uncle Leonard senses the reasons behind the dangerous tension, hidden beneath layers of silence and friendly banter. This vacation will indelibly mark everybody's life." David is the young man pictured on the top of the box art, Matteo is the bearded daddy below. Both are very easy on the eyes and hot as hell.
There's a lot going on here. At times I sensed a nod to DeSica's Death In Venice and a nod to opera's tragic grandness. The only thing else to recommend is a great Italian wine to accompany the viewing.
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