Summary
Female rage.
Who doesnt love it?
But as the movie unfolds, it becomes a story of loving, appreciating, and understanding oneself.
Image Via Nordisk Film Production
Cast
What Is ‘Loveable’ About?
The opening ofLoveablemay remind some viewers of the beginning ofNoah Baumbachs Oscar-winning divorce drama,Marriage Story.
Maria has two children with her ex-husband, a marriage that ended acrimoniously.
It’s a cliche but asLoveableso deftly shows, it’s undeniably true.
Sigmund ignores her calls and texts, and she paces the lonely flat a friend has lent her.
She tries to visit Alma at school but she is aggressively rebuffed and told she is an embarrassment.
Image Via Nordisk Film Production
The film is quick to dispel any ideas that Maria is a victim and nothing more in the story.
Loveableis about as realistic a portrayal of female rage as you could get.
Behind Marias screaming and anger is a terrified person who is at the mercy of her husband and children.
WhatLoveableso astutely understands about mental health and relationships is the importance of professional help.
The film is also one of the best explorations of generational trauma.
It truly is baffling that this is Ingolfsdottirs feature debut.
It carves a poignant and universal message out of what is usually perceived as mundane.
Ingolfsdottirs script is sharp, brutal, tender, and hopeful all at once.
She never makes Maria into one thing to make it easier for the audience to understand her.
Guren plays Marias battle with herself with all the conflicting emotions that come with understanding yourself later in life.
Thune is a soulful scene partner who also never makes his character an out-and-out villain.
Loveablegoes miles beyond the various divorce and marriage movies weve seen in recent years.
Theres also a great deal of humor that softens its relentless takedown of the fairytale idea of marriage.
Loveablehad its World Premiere at the 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
