Set in the constant darkness of Iceland's capital in January, the use of black and white adds to the classic noir feel. The action takes place over three days, but we begin on day three, then see the preceding events from the two days before, and return to our starting point for the denoument.
Ingvar has been badly beaten, but why? Why does Laufey, who may or may not be his much older lover, treat him so disparagingly? And where's he going with a gun in his pocket? The causes and effects of the days before give the answers and hint at what the gun might be for, but the real tragedy isn't fully apparent until the end.
This is very much the seedy side of Reykjavik life, with Ingvar getting propositioned by an elderly gay man, and tied in with a low life porn distributor. Lots of drink and sex and darkness. There's an enigmatic verbal introduction to each of the four sections of the film that leaves the audience to provide their own interpretations. But otherwise there isn't a great deal of dialogue, this is more about actions than words.
Bleak, ambiguous, with nary a laugh to be had. But it has such a personal feel to it, and respect for filmic history, that it's definitely one for serious film buffs to appreciate.
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