Neither like 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (1969) in it's sophisticated, humorous view of extra-marital relations nor Bergman's 'Scenes From A Marriage,' in its depiction of a marriage in crisis, this Norwegian conjugal study is floating on a bed of pristine show somewhere between the two. Eirik and Elisabeth have just moved into what seems like the remote woods to spend some quality time together and with their adopted Ethiopian son, Noa. There seems to be nothing but endless wintry countryside around them, except for a house within a rock's throw inhabited by Kaja, her husband, Sigve, and their son. Theodor. Elisabeth and Eirik are cultured city mice, and Kaja and Sigve are simple country mice. Over dinner, for instance, Kaja asks where Elisabeth bought her lovely black dress. Elisabeth says Paris. Kaja responds with, 'How ironic. I always wanted to go to Paris.' To their credit, Elizabeth and Eirik only give each other a glance of disappointment rather than a superior, insulting chuckle. They're all nice enough people, only with different cultural backgrounds. Kaja with her obsessive optimism; Sigve adhering to a back woodsman, masculine persona; Elisabeth, sophisticated, educated, attorney wife on the emotional mend; and Eirik, the sensitive, compassionate good guy.
Yet, if for no other reason than propinquity, distinctions of marriage and loyalty start to blur. Emotions run high, but behavior remains sedate, whether due to Norwegian calm and pre-possessed demeanor or because the four of them are just trying to behave properly under a stressful situation. The relationships run their courses -- in all directions. I suppose it all works out for the best eventually, but the point eludes me. The point of the American songbook acapella quartet also eludes me. I assume the choice of music was made to entertain the audience, though I wasn't. If satiric points were being made by the singers, they were lost on me and only seemed to rudely draw the audience away from the emotional turmoil going on in the remote Norwegian woods. The only less learned was if you want a remote, romantic, scenic place in which to work on a marriage, find a place without intrusive neighbors signaling you through their windows.
Happy, Happy
Director: Anne Sewitsky
Writer: Ragnhild Tronvoll, Mette M. Bølstad
Cast: Agnes Kittelsen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Joachim Rafaelsen, Maibritt Saerens, Oskar Hernæs Brandsø, Ram Shihab Ebedy, Heine Totland
Time: 85 min.
Rating: R
Opening October 14 at the Lumiere in San Francisco.
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