Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageHounds (2007)
Director: Ann-Kristin Reyels
Movie review
From Time Out London
This highly promising debut from writer-director Reyels set in the snowy backwoods of North East Germany at Christmas draws excellent performances, prime among them Von Jascheroff's as the open-natured and mature 16-year-old Lars contending with not only a new life and local bullies but also a fracturing, recently-separated, father; Luise Berndt's as his sweet, mute girlriend, Marie; and Sven Lehman's as Marie's taciturn father who not only shoots Lars's beloved dog but who selfishly and self-protectively sets up unreasonable opposition to Lars's gentle, developing relationship with his daughter. Good cinematography, keen observation and understanding of character, subtle pacing and distinctive direction (notably in an dinner-table set-piece of discomforted looks and glances), complemented by an organic, discreet use of symbolism (notably of animals, wild or domestic) and a pleasing lack of over-emphasis are let down only by a possibly unneccessary – and unnecessarily ambiguous – ending replacing a needed, sadly missing, third act.Author: Wally Hammond
Time Out London
Cast & crew
Director: Ann-Kristin Reyels
Cast: Luise Berndt, Josef Hader, Constantin von Jascheroff full cast
Duration: 86 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now