pigmode

Perhaps it is because of the strength of LM's prior releases AMAL and LILYA, or maybe it was because I watched Bergman's THE VIRGIN SPRING immediately before, but HOLE turned out to be a disappointment. I can't decide if this film is the product of pure self-indulgence, confusion, or exploitation.

If exploitation is not at the heart of HOLE, then I think he is reaching too far and too fast in trying to recreate the sheer power of emotion found in LILYA. The consequence that follows is not unlike the mass of food strewn all over the room in the one scene from HOLE. His attempts to shock are so overdone as to cross into the realm of the mundane. I almost forgot to roll my eyes a few times, probably because I was anxiously waiting for something to happen, a thin light of brilliance to shine through--right to very the end. I can't shake the impression that this is the mediocre result of an attempt to recreate a time and place that will never happen again. Sadly, there was nothing that was said here that had a compelling reason to be spoken. The result is not only unremarkable, but at times, all too predictable.

Cygnet74

*sigh* now i'm depressed...

pigmode

Not to worry...yet. I just looked at the reviews at IMDB, and it seems that a few others have differing and more positive opinions. I should have qualified that I have viewed it only once, and am shooting from the hip so to speak. I suspect one's experience and background will be a big factor in the forming of impressions.

I must say that there was nothing in this film that I found offensive or particularly shocking. Of course there are some scenes that quickly take one aback, but that is reflex more than something that reaches to one's innercore. I think the potentially exploitive elements of HOLE come from the way controversial material is handled, presented, and to what end in which it is intergrated into the whole.

After watching LILYA, I sat for a few minutes in the dark barely able to speak, and felt haunted by it for a day or two. With HOLE I thought: Tess has a really pretty face.

splattii

"After watching LILYA, I sat for a few minutes in the dark barely able to speak, and felt haunted by it for a day or two. With HOLE I thought: Tess has a really pretty face."

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! The feeling you had after seeing Lilya was the same as mine, and the reason I want to see hole. I wanted that feeling again. Damn!!!! I didn't get a chance last night.... Oh well... Tonight I guess I'll see what it does for me. Thanks for the info.

fnordboy

I put it in last night but I got too tired and had to turn it off after about 20mins or so. It was interesting so far, definitely some nasty things in there already. I am enjoying it so far though.

DVD Smurf

I loved Amal and Lilya, I also thought Tillsammans was great, which makes me very curious about his newest film. Yet, I see on imdb that it has not received warm comments. Still thinking of seeing it though... As they say in Swedish "Vi kan allitid hoppas på det bästa." But I think I better keep my hopes low.

pigmode

I never did make a connection with the characters in this film. Could not develop any kind of sympathy at any level. Maybe with the son, just a hint, but not enough to really care. I came away not giving a damn about what happens to these people. When you learn about the father's situation, its like, you've got to be kidding.

Is this an element of Moodysson's message? That this is a group of morally and spiritually bankrupt individuals, playing out an episode in their lives? For the most part, we see each of them fail when trying to get out of their own shells and become more human. A few times they get close but then it turns into a joke, so they still lose in the end.

Cygnet74

ive read an interview where moodysson stated that he wanted to indirectly explore the reality tv phenomenon with a specific eye on the type of person(s) that would subject themselves to it.

Daniel Windsor

There's a review of the disc at DVDReviewer.co.uk So, no dts like the other release here


I'll be watching the film today. There is no way I'm expcting the warmth of Together The director's obviously experimenting. I loved Fucking Åmål but disliked Lilja 4-Ever greatly.


The director's message? Same as any other interesting director: Piss off if you don't like my film.

splattii

I watched Hole in my Heart last night and was greatly disapointed. Much like Pigmode experienced, I also didn't find a connection with any of the characters. It didn't move me, and apart from one short scene the movie didn't disturb me like Lilya did. I was hoping for a lot more, and I honestly looked at the time on the DVD panel twice to see how much longer I had to sit through the film. The message trying to be sent was clear, and it was sent, but by no means does that make it a great film.

I'm going to watch Talk tonight as I haven't seen that before. I'm still happy I purchase the box set, but I just wish Hole had done more for me.

pigmode

Even at that level, for me this film is a failure. He seems to be trying to say so much, that he ends up not saying anything at all. HOLE suffers from incoherence and lack of direction. The supposedly shocking scenes are for the most part way out of context and do not add much to the film. Moodysson may very well be experimenting, but I see it as a movement to the darkside of exploitation and self-indulgence.

Daniel Windsor

Ah, digital video, female genital mutilation, gonzo porn, bulimia, a gimp, annoying Europop and shakeycam.

Merde.

pigmode

I wish I said that.

Cygnet74

thought i'd mention that i bought this back when it was released and was only able to watch half of it. not out of disgust or offense, but out of simple disinterest. thoroughly disappointed considering i count lilja 4-ever as the second best film i've ever seen (second to rosetta).