Mýrin (Jar City)

A quite attention grabber crime thriller from Iceland directed by Baltasar Kormákur with a story based on very successful Icelandic crime writer Arnaldur Indridason’s 2000 novel “Tainted Blood” which was initially translated into English as “Jar City”.

The story in the movie follows weary cop Erlendur that investigates the death of two young girls some thirty years apart. But writer-director Kormákur successfully combines the elements of a police procedural, a film noir, a thriller and a modern socio-anthropological study to create a fully formed portrait of the modern Icelandic people.

Very good cinematography with some scenes carefully framed makes this movie an outstanding visual experience that with the director’s precisely crafted interest to develop the characters as humans makes this movie very interesting to see beyond the crime story it tells.

Very good performances by leads and supporting characters, especially Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson that plays an Erlendur that becomes so human in his cold and matter of fact moments, as well as in the tender and human soft side.

The movie sweep the local awards and has other honors in many festivals and awards in Europe. Also is the Official submission from Iceland to the 2008 Academy Awards.

The movie because of the visuals and pace can be considered as art cinema and consequently could be not for all audiences. But because the crime story and the thriller/mystery side of the story I believe that has wider audiences than those that like art films. So, I think that those curious enough to learn about Iceland and follow a very nice crime drama, could give it a try.

Enjoy!