Is The Northman slow?

enajin · 24-05-2022 2:31pm #1

Choosing a movie for when people come over, most of them don't watch movies.

I've heard The Northman is quite artsy and slow and that the 'this generation's Gladiator' marketing stuff is misleading but how slow is it?

Random movies for comparison - last time we watched Shutter Island which everyone enjoyed to my surprise, thought that was considered a slow movie too? Bladerunner 2049 did not go down well at all though.

Thanks.

Marcos · 24-05-2022 2:43pm

Well it's over 2 hours long, so that might be too much for some people. As for the story, just think Hamlet with Vikings and lots of screaming.

Edit: For some reason my post went up twice, I don't know why.

Fysh · 24-05-2022 3:17pm

The easiest comparison I can think of is Green Knight, although the Northman is like a more mainstream complement to it. Yes, it's vikings, but it's also proto-Hamlet so don't go expecting movie-length GoT-style battles else you will be disappointed.

A lot of the film's strengths are down to visuals and sound, so IMO you're already on the back foot if you're talking about watching at home with at least some non-film-fans in the group (unless you're watching on a projector with decent sound, obv).

johnny_ultimate · 24-05-2022 3:22pm

I liked the film, but I'd personally consider it a poor option for a risk-averse or casual group. It's a straightforward story told in an eccentric and yes sometimes slow-burning way.

Gladiator it absolutely is not, and that marketing blurb does the film a disservice IMO by setting false expectations.

buried · 24-05-2022 6:51pm

Not a group film, better off watching it yourself on your own. It's not like Gladiator whatsoever, its more like the early 60's Japanese samurai revenge films like 'Harakari' than anything, they are not group watching films either but are brilliant to watch and give patience to get the payoff by yourself

StringerBell · 24-05-2022 6:58pm

Its nothing like Gladiator, its very good I thought - I liked it when watching in cinema. I don't think it would be a home movie group kinda thing at all though.

Whoever said think Hamlet was bang on imo, and I thought that during the movie also.

The mood, the visuals etc are all very good, but I would think you would need to be zoned in rather than casual viewing.