Border - Movie Review
Border
Plot: A customs officer who can smell fear develops an unusual attraction to a strange traveler while aiding a police investigation which will call into question her entire existence.
Cast: Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff, Jorgen Thorsson, Ann Petrén, Sten Ljunggren
Director: Ali Abbasi
Certificate: 15 (strong sex, nudity, bloody images, language, child abuse references)
Runtime: 108 minutes
Release Date: Friday 8th March 2019
Border. A grounded take on a fairy tale scenario that features a sex scene that rivals Team America as the strangest depiction of intercourse ever filmed. That may not sound like a wholesome recommendation but if bizarre and original films that aren't afraid to break the rules are your cup of tea, then Border is certainly worth seeking out.
Set in modern day Sweden, Border follows customs officer Tina (Melander) who suffers from a distinctive facial deformity after being struck by lightning as a child. She lives a dull and uninteresting life. Her father has a progressive illness and her husband is a lazy sloth who trains dogs to compete in competitions. The only positive aspect to her life is her keen sense of smell to accurately pull over travellers looking to smuggle illegal substances into the country. During one shift, Tina encounters a stranger that bares a striking resemblance to her and after a few more chance meetings, she discovers that Vore (Milonoff) and her are actually real life trolls. It's a peculiar premise and one that is initially a difficult sell to the general public however through the writing of John Ajvide Lindqvist (writer of Let the Right One In) and Abbasi's assured direction, they make Border's heart and brain soar high above its unabashed weirdness. Eva Melander is a shocking revelation as Tina. For the first act, Melander perfects Tina's suffering in her repetitive and dreary day-to-day life but upon the discovery of her true origin, her astonishment and evolution is very special to experience. She behaves like a newborn discovering a world completely unbeknownst to her. Fortunately for Tina, with this groundbreaking revelation comes a very obscure newfound relationship with Vore as the two grow close. Despite having some undeniably strange interactions, their romance is a typical fairy tale story. Girl meets boy. Boy and girl fall in love. Girl grows a penis and has sex with boy. It's a story that the entire family can fall in love with. In all seriousness, looking beyond the unorthodox elements of their relationship, Tina and Vore share a sweet and genuine level of compassion for each other and their love emanates beautifully within the screen.
Plot: A customs officer who can smell fear develops an unusual attraction to a strange traveler while aiding a police investigation which will call into question her entire existence.
Cast: Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff, Jorgen Thorsson, Ann Petrén, Sten Ljunggren
Director: Ali Abbasi
Certificate: 15 (strong sex, nudity, bloody images, language, child abuse references)
Runtime: 108 minutes
Release Date: Friday 8th March 2019
Border. A grounded take on a fairy tale scenario that features a sex scene that rivals Team America as the strangest depiction of intercourse ever filmed. That may not sound like a wholesome recommendation but if bizarre and original films that aren't afraid to break the rules are your cup of tea, then Border is certainly worth seeking out.
Set in modern day Sweden, Border follows customs officer Tina (Melander) who suffers from a distinctive facial deformity after being struck by lightning as a child. She lives a dull and uninteresting life. Her father has a progressive illness and her husband is a lazy sloth who trains dogs to compete in competitions. The only positive aspect to her life is her keen sense of smell to accurately pull over travellers looking to smuggle illegal substances into the country. During one shift, Tina encounters a stranger that bares a striking resemblance to her and after a few more chance meetings, she discovers that Vore (Milonoff) and her are actually real life trolls. It's a peculiar premise and one that is initially a difficult sell to the general public however through the writing of John Ajvide Lindqvist (writer of Let the Right One In) and Abbasi's assured direction, they make Border's heart and brain soar high above its unabashed weirdness. Eva Melander is a shocking revelation as Tina. For the first act, Melander perfects Tina's suffering in her repetitive and dreary day-to-day life but upon the discovery of her true origin, her astonishment and evolution is very special to experience. She behaves like a newborn discovering a world completely unbeknownst to her. Fortunately for Tina, with this groundbreaking revelation comes a very obscure newfound relationship with Vore as the two grow close. Despite having some undeniably strange interactions, their romance is a typical fairy tale story. Girl meets boy. Boy and girl fall in love. Girl grows a penis and has sex with boy. It's a story that the entire family can fall in love with. In all seriousness, looking beyond the unorthodox elements of their relationship, Tina and Vore share a sweet and genuine level of compassion for each other and their love emanates beautifully within the screen.
FACT: Official submission of Sweden for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 91st Academy Awards in 2019.
However, as much as the first and second act may lead you to believe that Border is a fluffy, frilly and pleasant romance, the third act is a drastic shift in tone that is sure to prove divisive for audiences. There's a continuous air of mystery surrounding Vore and his true intentions and once his exterior begins to chip away, Milonoff shines in a complex and constantly evolving character whose motives and true self is unravelled with each and every scene. Sadly, this third act was fairly underwhelming in comparison to the first and second. Its sudden tonal change is incredibly jarring and grinds the pace of the film to a complete stop resulting in a disappointing conclusion. This ultimately culminates in a wholly unique cinematic experience but one that doesn't lend itself to numerous rewatches. Thankfully, Border does find recompense within the staggeringly magnificent prosthetic work for both Tina and Vore. Having rightfully been nominated for an Academy Award in this department, Border's makeup work is amazingly transformative.
Border is the definition of original storytelling and a unique cinematic experience and whilst it doesn't quick stick the landing nor have the rewatchability factor, the excellent lead performances, touching romance and intricate parallels to today's society alongside some truly jaw-dropping prosthetics, make this an intriguing watch at the very least.
Luke's Verdict: 6.5/10
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Border does find recompense within?
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