TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2015 // A FILM REVIEW OF "VIRGIN MOUNTAIN"
The 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, runs April 15th-26th and features hundreds of features, documentaries, short films, and special events all throughout downtown New York City. The ArtsWire Weekly's three featured reviewers Mateo, Derek, & Chrisena are hitting the festival and bringing the reviews right to you! What you should see and what you should skip...
Fúsi is a big man. 6'3", 450 big. And his hair is kind of funny. People of WalMart balding mullet kind of funny. Though he is in his early 40's, he lives at home with his mother. When he's not working as a baggage handler at the airport he's playing with his giant WWII battle model, a radio controlled car, or eating Cocoa Puffs. For these reasons we could look at Fúsi and just laugh: "What a loser!" But these reasons coupled with his naïve disposition and ultimately prevailing strength that we love him.
The way things were going, Fúsi could have lived the rest of his life never knowing a greater love, or the feeling of intimacy with a woman. But something changes. Was it that he saw his mother's latest boyfriend giving it to her from behind in the kitchen? Or what is the young girl that moved into his building and said he wasn't weird that gave him a boost in confidence? Why at this time, at this moment does Fúsi finally begin to break out of his shell and into a woman's pants.
His mother and her randy boyfriend buy Fúsi some line dance lessons and encourage him to give it a shot, to socialize a bit. Here he meets Sjöfn (Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir), also a bit of a loner. The two slowly and awkwardly work through their resistance and allow a friendship--and more--to blossom.
Director Dagur Kári from Iceland has created quite a touching story and film with Virgin Mountain. It is simple and subtle, funny and sad, and always feels honest, especially when it comes to the title role. Gunnar Jónsson as Fúsi is amazing. The sayings "he's just a big teddy bear" or "he's quite the gentle giant" don't do justice to the sweet tenderness Jónsson brings to Virgin Mountain. He's quiet, except when duly provoked. He is afraid of something different, perhaps better, but has just the right amount of courage to make a change, head down but moving forward. If Fúsi has the courage to grow, can't we all?
VERDICT: MUST SEE
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY Dagur Kári STARRING Gunnar Jónsson, Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir
Playing as part of The 2015 Tribeca International Film Festival. For tickets & schedules: http://www.tribecafilm.com
W. DEREK JORDEN is an actor currently living and working in New York City. He and his wife live on a Spaceship on the top of a building, which makes for some interesting dinner parties.