Children of Nature

Portrayal of the elderly protagonists' simple human dignity did not preclude letting us come to know them through their foibles as well as their particular strengths. The spare and moving scenery of Iceland is not gratuitiously included. It is there to tell its part of the story. (One might even suggest that the landscape is one of the 'characters' in the film.) The situation which drives the story forward is commonplace enough, but it is given just sufficient push in the direction of the mystical and the humorous as to soften inevitable sorrow and grief with the only sort of hope an ironically 'post-modernist' era might bear.

Most of all, the story speaks plainly about the almost unbearable human cost of misplanned, onrushing change: Change now so commonplace, even in 'out of the way corners' of the world, that there is no escape, nor much hope of modifying its outcome, or negotiating a space to live even a brief span of years in peace--one can only refuse to go along, and pay the price of doing so.

(Of course we do not speak of how the wealthy must view the world, here. Wealth is to be understood, if it is to be understood at all, as the aberration it is, particularly when one marks the almost infantile renunciation of decency, restraint and responsibility displayed by those with the means to accomplish almost anything they could wish. Of course, with sufficient means, one can create almost any illusion of stability and sustainability.)

The scenes of embrace and of renunciation particular to the final moments of _Children of Nature_ bespeak of all that is best within the human spirit. The characters, from the first moments we see them, are anything but superficial or one-dimensional. The choices they must face are the choices we are going to have to face for ourselves.

I have not been so moved by a film in many years. This was so, even though I did not see it on the big screen.

Two old souls who have become prisoners to societies daily care, run away to find comfort in joining there ancestors. This will tug at your heart and soul, making you wish you could find that one soul here on earth that is willing to grow old with you.

Now that I've viewed it, I came back to re-read the other reviews and like one other reviewer I have to admit I ended up watching it 3 times to her 4. Subtitles never bothered me, but I know others are put off by it - this one has to be the easiest one to follow.

Trying to find the words to describe the movie - charming, endearing, mystical, the unique landscape and beauty of Iceland. Moments of humor, irony and yes sadness. In one sense, it's a "simple" movie by today's "standards" - but there are layers of issues going on - not only with the individuals portrayed but how the viewer may react to their own beliefs towards those very issues. I also was drawn to the soundtrack music. When Thorgeir twice asks the truck driver, "Do you think your brother will take us on the ferry?" He replies, " I don't think about what I know " I just loved that line! Never heard that before- don't know if anything was lost or made better in that translation. "Babette's Feast" was an instant favorite of mine many years ago - and somehow this movie found a place in my heart along with it. Do wished my husband had watched the movie with me, as I am looking forward to discussing a couple of scenes with him.