While i have to admit that the setting this film has is memorable in a way (a few atmospheric shots of Paris and Prague), and there's Nyqvist, who always manages all his roles in such an authentic manner, but in the end, those are more or less the only upsides this film has.
When you watch art-house cinema, you shouldn't expect too much from the characters. In most cases the portraits are supposed to be rather life- like, and in reality some personality types just are more difficult to comprehend, which means not just everyone connects to them on a personal level, and we can only assume the background of a certain behaviour.
But in this case, in "Kvinden der drømte om en mand", the main antagonists are just way beyond any reason. What was the female lead thinking? Was she somewhat disturbed? Why did she act the way she did? We're given no reasons nor explanations whatsoever. Was her marriage really that hopeless? No, it really didn't seem this way to me. Although the marriage scenes were a bit bland, we're given no hints of anything extraordinarily ominous or repressing. Neither manages the film to convince us it happened all because of some sort of a "love from the first sight." This seems just so unplausible. So what we are left with but a portrayal of irrational and random behaviour, absolutely horrid female lead role, and a meaningless ending? Not too much, i'm afraid!
If you are inclined to watch a cold danish movie on a topic similar to this, just do yourself a favour and get "Prag" instead. Terrific actors and a lot more convincing storyline. Actually, i consider "Prag" one of the best danish movies of all time.
When you watch art-house cinema, you shouldn't expect too much from the characters. In most cases the portraits are supposed to be rather life- like, and in reality some personality types just are more difficult to comprehend, which means not just everyone connects to them on a personal level, and we can only assume the background of a certain behaviour.
But in this case, in "Kvinden der drømte om en mand", the main antagonists are just way beyond any reason. What was the female lead thinking? Was she somewhat disturbed? Why did she act the way she did? We're given no reasons nor explanations whatsoever. Was her marriage really that hopeless? No, it really didn't seem this way to me. Although the marriage scenes were a bit bland, we're given no hints of anything extraordinarily ominous or repressing. Neither manages the film to convince us it happened all because of some sort of a "love from the first sight." This seems just so unplausible. So what we are left with but a portrayal of irrational and random behaviour, absolutely horrid female lead role, and a meaningless ending? Not too much, i'm afraid!
If you are inclined to watch a cold danish movie on a topic similar to this, just do yourself a favour and get "Prag" instead. Terrific actors and a lot more convincing storyline. Actually, i consider "Prag" one of the best danish movies of all time.