Review: Troubled Water (a thoughtful, beautiful film)

The opening night movie of the Traverse City Film Festival was "Troubled Water." A Norwegian film with English subtitles, it tells the story of a young man just released from prison after serving eight years for a terrible crime.

A gifted organist, Jan (Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen) is a quiet young man who’s doing his best to move on with his life after serving prison time. He takes a job at a church and befriends the female priest, Anna (Ellen Dorrit Petersen) and her son Jens (Fredrik Grondahl).

But Jan’s past comes back to haunt him in a big way. The woman, Agnes (Trine Dyrholm), whose life was turned upside down by his past crime pays a visit to the church. We learn that she’s a teacher who lives with her husband and two adopted daughters. Her husband has taken a job in another country, mainly to try and move beyond their horrible past, especially since the perpetrator has just been released from prison.

It’s a film that covers a lot of issues, including grief, forgiveness, redemption, and human nature. What I love is that it’s subtle – not an "in your face" type of movie – and the story grabs you right from the beginning and carries you along until the end credits. And while you can see certain storylines playing out, there’s a few twists and turns along the way.

The director, Erik Poppe, answered questions after the film’s screening. A few tidbits:

• Poppe tried many times to get permission to use Paul Simon’s "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in the film. Simon wasn’t interested, and it wasn’t until Poppe sent two representatives to New York with a copy for Simon to screen that he finally said yes. Apparently, he doesn’t usually – if ever – allow his songs to be used in films. But "Troubled Water" made such an impact that he said yes.
• The lead actor, Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen, had no experience playing the organ before the movie started production. He learned along the way, and I can tell you, his playing in this film is nothing short of magnificent. Hearing "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on a pipe organ in a church? Powerful!
• Real prisoners were used in the prison scenes, because the filmmakers weren’t allowed to bring extras in for the filming. Poppe said the prisoners really got into it and were sorry when filming wrapped. And the prisoners were especially disturbed that they’d have to inflict harm on the lead actor during the filming.
• A life-sized doll was created to be used as a stand-in for a character during dangerous water sequences. The doll was actually lost in the water during filming, which was ironic, because it followed the plot of the film, as well.

"Troubled Water" Trailer:

Image: Michael Moore and director Erik Poppe, Jane Boursaw