Cool & Crazy (2001)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Cinematography by Svein Krovel and Aslaug Holm
Directed by Knut Erik Jensen
Starring The Berlevag Male Choir

Features:

• Director Biography
  
• Photo Gallery
  
• Trailer
  

Released by: First Run Features
Region: 1
Rating: NR
Anamorphic: No

My Advice: Rent it.

Released originally in Sweden as Heftig og begeistret, this film is about a group of men who find purpose, companionship, and even fame, as members of a male choir in Brelevag, Norway. From singing above precipitous cliffs during a raging snowstorm, to the backstage thoughtfulness on their Russian tour, this revels in the spirit of these rugged men as they bare their souls through songs of faith and hope. Combining interesting characters with the glorious Arctic sky, blizzards, disparate musical venues, and songs of faith, Cool & Crazy lives up to its title: very cool and the kind of crazy we all ought to be.

An interesting point made in this film is how we humans may have radically different cultures or beliefs, but we really aren’t as different as we like to think we are. At the risk of waxing cliché, Sting said it best in his "Russians": "We share the same biology, regardless of ideology."

The features list is solid enough, with a nice photo gallery of still shots from the film, the original trailer, and a biography of the director. These are all standard fare and nothing splendid, but then a film like this doesn’t call for much more. It would, however, have been nice to have been offered a dubbed language track; the sound of Norwegian, however, is so pleasant that it really does complement the feel of the film. Indeed, native English speakers will enjoy understanding words here and there.

The audio is quite good, especially given the importance of music to the film as a whole. You will be able to hear the different vocal roles, such as telling the baritones from the tenors. It’s nice to have that much attention paid to a film as non-mainstream as this one. The video is also good, showing the outstanding beauty of the northern European countryside, from Norway to Russia. Check out the bright blue skies.

Overall, this is basically a very sweet film about doing what you love, against all odds. If you are interested in choral music, Scandinavia, or like films about people living their dreams, then this film should please you. The power of music is not to be underestimated, nor should the power and drive of men who believe in what they are doing. If you ever lose your hope, then this is a good choice to remind you of what you were fighting for and why you just might achieve your goals.