Noi


Synopsis
Noi the Albino is a high school slacker with a healthy dose of nihilism in this bleak, atmospheric postcard from our friends in Iceland. (PG-13, 2002)


Observations
Noi is a film where everything, from the environment to the characters, are bathed in the ethereal blue-white light of Iceland. For some reason I identify heartily with these austere Scandinavian movies. Is it the isolation or desolation? I don’t know, but it calls to me.

Noi, the albino is ultra-mega-super alone. Any of his attempts at meaningful connection are thwarted by his own special combination of nihilism and hyper-intelligence. The film has many bright spots of black humor (look for the most unsuccessful bank heist ever), but is at it’s best when it is quietly beautiful. This isn’t a movie that means to prove anything or make any kind of statement; it’s more like a meditative visual display.

For a different slice of Scandinavian cinema, try 101 Reyjavik – a humorous love-triangle movie set in the harsh snow globe of Iceland.

Rating:
Amazon's entry for Noi