Dark Horse (2005)

So much average

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I already saw this movie two times in the last two years - and I can say that all these great comments about it are more than justified. This movie is much more than just a comedy or a sentimental story - it has something almost supernatural in it - of course because it makes you think about life but also because it makes you 'feel' the story. The color moment was impressive, everything else was in the right pace and time. Movies like this are very rare in this century - for me this is not a movie but a masterpiece of art.Of course masterpieces are not always understandable to simple people...

Although I appreciated the other comments submitted to this point, I saw this movie at the Cleveland International Film Festival and was terribly perplexed by what it meant to convey.Initially it's a comedy, and a wonderful one at that. Then the characters get hit hard by life's events. Then they change. Unusual events occur, but we don't know why.It's not until the end that we're left with the magical part of the story the movie is telling. As the main character, Daniel undergoes a slow but significant metamorphosis from a bum (but a lucky one) to a character who cares about others and has become responsible.Although at first a minor character, the judge is a sort of doppelganger for Daniel. We first see him in the sleep clinic, then in the court where he pronounces Daniel's sentence. The near-collision with Daniel seems to trigger "the switch", where the judge then steals a gift for his child. By the time we see him staying at the airport instead of going to a meeting we're not even remotely surprised that he runs into Daniel. By the time his wife is confronted with the evidence of his theft the translation to bum is complete.Now to see the movie paying attention to how and when the magic takes effect: is it the near-accident or when the elephants parade by? What about the flash of color? Is there something else?A good watch to begin with and a better watch the second time around!

This movie is first icelandic movie I have seen. Before I entered the cinema, I had no idea what the film was about. When I exit,my feelings were so complicated that I can't find the right word. This film is fully equipped with tiny details,which makes it deeper for focused viewers.Sometimes it gets out of the borders of absurdity,you find yourself laughing unconsciously. Sometimes you feel yourself so desperate,melancholic that you freeze in your seat,not knowing what to do.To tell the truth,this is what makes a movie see-able. Techniques used in the movie are seen before but director added some new details from himself. Repetition of some scenes is like emphasizing the importance of them just like in poetry or prose. Coloured scene is great. Turning point of the movie. really liked this movie and looking forward to see it again.

for those who don't really fit in..there is dagur kari! he turns a simple yet beautiful story into something almost magical. after noi albinoi, the story of a smart but socially dysfunctional teen, dagur presents daniel's story, a dyslexic graffiti artist (let's call it that) who seems to be as irresponsible as his girlfriend franc..and his referee wannabe friend, grandpa..oh..and a strange judge that disappears a story of coming of age? not quite..a story about people that don't fit in this society but seem to be attracted to each others..the final image of the movie shows you not only the new family (daniel's) but also the fiats 500 that seem to have found each others..a movie filmed in black and white with only one image presented in colors..(as noi albinoi is filmed in colors but has several scenes in black and white)..the moment of an awakening maybe.. there is comedy..grandpa the fat referee that wants to break the ten commands in one single day..franc's mother that is more interested in men than her own daughter and ends up being a grandma in more than one way..there is drama..a judge that leaves his wife and daughter after a night of reflection in a hotel.great lines.."Spare me that love-bullshit. Love is useless before the age of 90" that don't just amuse one but also make you ponder about life (bla, bla in a good way). this is one of the best movies i've seen this year. i can't wait to see dagur kari's next movie.