A very well crafted allegory – obscure, Kafkaesque, and compelling. An accountant named Andreas arrives in a city void of deep emotion. Food is tasteless. Alcohol has no affect. Sex is mechanical. But he has a good job, a girlfriend, a mistress, and no health or money concerns. He is well treated by his company. Essentially, all the basics are taken care of and life is “happy” for the majority of residents. But Andreas wants more. What price is he willing to pay to feel again?

Director Jens Lien won a ton of awards for this Norwegian-language film about the tradeoff between freedom and security, comfort and passion, including Norway’s version of the oscars for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Sceenplay, as well as prizes from the Athens Int’l Film Festival and the Hamptons annual movie fest. Yes, it really is that good. The subtitles do not distract at all. The ending will make you think, too. Imagine that.