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O'HORTEN Send This Review to a Friend
The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival included various films that examined aspects of human behavior. One especially charming example was “O’Horten,” a film from Norway written and directed by Bent Hamer and now in commercial release. Starring Baard Owe as Odd Horten, a railway engineer who retires and explores life in the context of his new found free time, it is a quirky film that reveals much about himself and others to Horten on his peculiar, delightful journey.
There is a wonderful subtlety to the humor as we follow the title character on his voyage of discovery. The film makes trenchant points about retirement, aging and unfulfilled potential.
As a railway engineer Horten had his life of routine. When he is retiring, it is clear that he will be at sea. What to do with the rest of his life? Hamer, fueled by his Norwegian sense of humor, places the protagonist in an assortment of situations, each of which depicts his fascination with what he finds and his resilience and resourcefulness.
He is learning about life that he has not previously explored and we are along for the ride. Owe’s acting is always understated, and that helps keep the right tone for this unusual personal drama.
For anyone faced with retirement, or even unexpected unemployment, “O’Horten” may stimulate thinking about life and the future as well as provide unusual entertainment. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
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