Preview: O'Horten (2009)

Synopsis:

A train engineer's strange journey into romance on the night of his retirement party.

• Poster: C

Review:

What the dog has to do with the film, I don't know as I don't recall seeing it in the trailer. The train station background and conductor outfit are perfectly fitting, but the faint clock in the middleground is entirely out of place and the unusualness of the held dog makes it a bit distracting and more akin to a Steve Martin comedy.

• Trailer: B-

Review:

Other than the romantic undercurrent in the trailer, this unusual trailer is only half interesting. The exploration of life after retirement may be a terrific idea, but the execution here seems a bit too comedic for its own good and suggests a little over-sentimentalism.

Oscar Prospects:

Submitted by Norway to the Oscars, this quirky comedy about a retiring train conductor is a bit too chippe and unusual for Academy tastes. I doubt that it will be nominated.

Release Date:

• February 20, 2009

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (November 23, 2008) Original