Victoria

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source: Victoria

I've seen Enter the Void, Funny Games, Descent... And just other awesomely unique films that left me pondering for more and wanting to read into every possible angle I could think of. I then usually want to write my own review but I'm usually too lazy to even make an account to write one up. Well this film inspired me enough to do so. That almost says enough right there but I'll give my reasoning for why I can't get this film out of my head. I should probably first say that as an American without having any subtitles- it made this movie ever more confusing and intense. I truly felt like I was Victoria. I wouldn't have made any of the decisions she chose to make but come on people- It's a movie- get over it! Especially with something like this. It's not even about the actions taking place as it is the emotions that the characters portray and instantly it relates to you b/c you've been "hanging out" with them for the whole movie. This movie is just awesome how you just become Victoria essentially and you're on this mysterious 2 hr journey that doesn't stop. There's no cuts to explosions and pointless deaths. It's not quite the smoothest ride but that builds the intensity until there's finally a simple plot satisfaction that would leave most Americans less satisfied b/c we overall don't know what's good for us. Needless to say though, I've never felt more on edge and like I had an actual real life experience from a movie. Other than of course the masterful camera work and direction, there's nothing absolutely spectacular to tell you to look out for-- It's just a solid movie experience that provides a full spectrum of good acting, mystery, action, emotionally driven scenes backed by a great soundtrack. If you want to watch a movie and you're insanely tired of the same ole crap- this just isn't a unique idea for a movie-- it is a movie idea that was executed perfectly and left me wanting more and believing in what I saw. Watch It! Watch It now!

I noticed this movie totally separates the so called "professionals" and regular viewers. After seeing 15.000 plus movies I have a feeling, I can write an honest review. This movie sucks in so many levels but most of the sucking stuff has been revealed all around this messaging area already. I just say, if the camera was following me in Rio, Caracas, Bangkok or few other cities without a script back in a day, the end result for 2.20 hours would have been more of everything than this poor sod of a "movie". This is my first review in three years here, but this one just made me mad to fast forward it even faster as it allows. There is just no substance in it. If I had a kid and he had a camera, he could shoot better video, as if I had a wife and she could mix music into film, she would absolutely do better work and you see where this is going. If my grandma was a live... FF-button is your best friend if you wanna insist and say that you've seen this "movie".

The truth is that i couldn't wait to watch this film. Was a viral during August in Berlin, very good marketing, sold out at the cinemas, screening at Berlin club. Finally watched it. First 10 minutes were cute, if you live in Berlin and know the people around, its very nice watching it, you feel part of it. There is kind of romance, the camera is moving nicely around the characters, waiting to understand where the film is set, no luck, camera doesn't help. That is the risk with the one shot filming. Anyway then i realize that if i want to see a film about Berlin i should watch a documentary. But the plot. No sense, armature scenario, felt i lost 2 hours of my life. i will get over it, i don't recommend to watch it but if you do don't have big expectations. good luck

The film is shot in one single long take - 2 hours and 20 Minutes long, but this isn't just a party trick. It's a whole different way to experience a story. I'm not saying every film should be done this way, but for that story it's just THE perfect tool. However they took a great risk in making this film the way they did. Victoria would be a really boring movie if just one department failed to do an extraordinary job - the Norwegian DP, the actors, the sound department - every little detail makes or breaks this film. But... they all executed this piece of art brilliantly and so I can't recommend it enough to everyone who likes to watch some film history.

As a fan of both Berlin and independent film, I really wanted to like this, and was hopeful after reading the positive reviews already posted. But ultimately, they are misleading about the film's merits. This film tells the tale of Victoria, a Spanish newcomer in Berlin who (realistically enough) works at an underpaid cafe job and speaks no German. She meets four Berlin guys at a club and her decision to stick with them seems a little naive, at first. Unfortunately, this is the most believable part of the entire film. What follows is a descent into a rather cheesy, Hollywood-style gangster underground that feels totally out of place within the humble, realistic Berlin that the directors have clearly attempted to capture in this single-take film. The problem with "Victoria" is that the film's makers don't seem to know what kind of film they are trying to make: is it a fly-on-the-wall docudrama showing us everyday events with wildly unforeseen circumstances? Or is it a cinematic thriller with exciting plot twists that would stretch credibility if we saw them anywhere but the silver screen? The makers should have chosen one of the two things and stuck with it, in my opinion. Mixing them together has resulted in a jarring experience. Even though we want to get pulled in to the events that are depicted, we are always aware that they just would not happen in the "gritty real life" Berlin that this film attempts to capture. Having said that, this crew has clearly got some great dramatic skills. The performances are heartfelt and exciting, despite the lack of substance. So it will be interesting to see what they come up with after "Victoria".

The only good thing about this movie for me is the one-take thing. The rest is forgettable. The story is absolute cliché. The lead actress is emotionless and at no time did I feel compassion or any other emotion except for boredom for her. The "Bad guy" was a pimp out of the 80's. At times, the director could have linked to shots in the past by linking the music.... but accept for an annoying accordion I don't remember much of the soundtrack. To be honest, the start was kind of fun and relatable. But the more they got in trouble, the more ridiculous choices were made. There wasn't a time where I questioned anyones morale or think of anything else but leaving.