By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Norwegian filmmaker
Halfdan Ullmann Tondel, grandson of actress
Liv Ullmann and director
Ingmar Bergman, makes his feature debut with
"Armand," a dark psychological drama that was chosen as the Norwegian entry for Best International Feature Film at this year's
97th Annual Academy Awards.
Renate Reinsve ("The Worst Person in the World" and TV's "Presumed Innocent") stars as Elisabeth, a mother whose six-year-old son, Armand, is accused of sexually assaulting one of his male classmates. The film unfolds primarily from Elisabeth's perspective, as she grapples with the shock and disbelief of the allegations against her son.
The absence of the children in the film, with Armand appearing only briefly at the end, serves to heighten the tension and focus the audience's attention on the adult reactions and the ensuing investigation.
The movie's setting--a drab and claustrophobic school environment--intensifies the drama, as parents and educators convene to discuss the incident. Tondel's direction employs a minimalist approach, focusing on nervous dialogue and character interactions to explore themes of guilt and shame, along with personal and moral biases. The absence of visual depictions of the alleged act itself leaves much to the audience's imagination and interpretation.
While the elements come together to a degree, the story falls short of becoming truly captivating despite Reinsve's poignant performance. I must say, her sarcastic laughter--though understandable--becomes rather grating as the scene drags on far longer than necessary. Additionally, the teacher with the incessant nosebleed felt awkward and superfluous.
"Armand" reaches its peak when Elisabeth confronts Sarah (Ellen Dorrit Petersen, "Longing for Today"), the mother of Thomas, the child whom Armand is alleged to have abused.
Director/screenwriter Halfdan Ullmann had a ripe and juicy premise with "Armand," but unfortunately, the filmmaker seemed to exhaust his ideas before crafting a satisfying and cohesive conclusion. As a result, the story becomes muddled and ultimately falls flat.
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Look At This Trailer For
"ARMAND"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
