Hunger
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Movie Reviews of Hunger
Movie Review: Brilliant. Hunger for life.
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1966 film is based on Knut Hamsun's 1890 novel with the same title; the director, Henning Carlsen, is still making movies in 2010. I haven't known his name before I watched "Hunger", now I'm planning to see his other movies, because this film is amazingly good. It's one of those very rare exceptions when the movie is comparable in quality to the book it's based upon, even though Hamsun's novel deservedly belongs to classics.
Per Oscarsson's and Gunnel Lindblom's amazing performance as two main characters in this film deserves highest recognition too, even though some credit in this case also due to the director, who brought them together in the film, as well as the many other excellent actors, be it in the secondary roles or extras.
Each and every scene in this film can be put on a poster - so beautiful it is graphically. Carlsen has perfect vision, aesthetically impeccable. His taste never fails him. It's very interesting to see, in particular, how the sexual encounter between two main characters is shown. One cannot ignore the fact that very modest scenes are much more human and natural and erotic here than whatever is produced in the Hollywood nowadays.
Hamsun was one of the first existentialist writers. The flim, created by Carlsen, is bigger than any particular genre of style or philosophical paradigm. It's about life itself, in all its complexity, and ugliness, and beauty. "Hunger" is one of the best movies I've ever seen.
Movie Review: Perdition
Summary: 5 Stars
I will not reiterate what has been said in the very insightful reviews already posted. They speak for themselves.
This film, an adaptation of Knut Hamsun's book of the same title, is a truly great film adaptation of a great work of literature.
When I first read the book decades ago, it haunted me long afterwards. No less so with this film which brought it all to life.
It is fortunate that the film was in fact done in black and white. Color would have detracted from the grim and gritty subject matter of the story.
As one who has faced simalar circumstances during several segments of his life, I can only say this really epitomized the experience of isolation, hopelessness and starvation as I knew it to be.
It is in a sense a heroic and noble story. Despite the ongoing downward turn of events in the protagonist's life, due to his pride, he is not a begger - due to his ethics, he is not a theif. He is a stoic artist, foolish and hapless perhaps as dreamers tend to be, but one can still admire his character and strength amid his abject difficulties and circumstances.
The acting is absolutely superb and though the film is subtitled, nothing is lost of the story and message. This is a film most anyone could go away with sufficient food for thought. If the ratings allowed 6 stars, that is what I would accord it.
Movie Review: An interesting (and good) adaptation of the novel.
Summary: 5 Stars
For those who haven't read the novel I don't think it is a necessary exercise in order to get something valuable out of the film. That said, having done both, I was in fact a little taken aback by the differences, but then realized that one could not possibly put the trauma written by Hamsun on the screen.
The acting is excellent and the lead is very believable as Hamsun's unnamed protagonist. The only problem lies in the story itself. So much of "Hunger" is internal and existential that it is difficult and almost impossible to express it via an actor. That being said Per Oscarsson does an admirable job in an almost impossible role.
I want to say that truly I am nitpicking here. It is a compelling and visceral film no matter how you slice it and could be considered required viewing for young filmmakers who are admirers of perhaps the Guy Maddin style and school of directing, just as Hamsun's "Hunger" is a must read for aspiring writers who are devotees of psychological oriented writing. Definitely worth a view and highly recommended.
Movie Review: sublime
Summary: 5 Stars
Talented Writer/Director Henning Carlsen does excellent work here, as does actor Per Oscarsson in lead
role.
Fine adaption of what may be my favorite novel of all time, Knut Hamsun's HUNGER.
Waited decades to see this. Finally, when I noticed that the DVD was available on amazon.com, I
got my copy.
Great novels don't always make great films; it's true--but this is that rarest of times when the film is actually as good (or, let's say...comes quite close.) That's high praise from me, because my belief has always been that no matter how terrific a filmed version of a fine novel is, it can never be as good as the book.
If you love Hamsun's beautifully written novel, you'll enjoy this remarkable film.
Movie Review: Keeps a good book down.
Summary: 5 Stars
From Knut Hamsun's best novel. Even so, I think this is one of the few movies that is actually better than the book. Given that the book's style read today is out of the time period of its original literary context, (and read by myself, in an English translation), a simplicity of style that at the time it was written must have been as outrageously refreshing as a later-day Hemingway. It is also one of those films that seems as if it's executed much later due to its shear excellence all round. The DVD has a lot of extra photographic stills and an extra film feature. This must be my favourite film. A tale of a character losing it, nothing cheers me up more!
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