A Little Trip to Heaven (2005)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Baltasar Kormákur

Writers:

Baltasar Kormákur (writer)
Edward Martin Weinman (co-writer)

Release Date:

26 December 2005 (Iceland)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

There is no such thing as a no fault death.

Plot:

A husband and wife tangle with an investigator over her dead brother's million-dollar insurance policy.

Plot Keywords:

Life Insurance | Car Accident | Fraud | Snow | Bathing

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Maria Fernandez Ache	...	Mrs. Rodriguez (as Maria Fernandez-Ache)
Kharl Anton Leigh	...	Young Boy Rodriguez
Peter Coyote	...	Frank
Forest Whitaker	...	Abe Holt
Juan Carlos Pardo Pardo	...	Mr. Rodriguez
Damon Younger	...	Long Haired Man
Jeremy Renner	...	Fred
Joanna Scanlan	...	Josie
Iddo Goldberg	...	Russle
Philip Jackson	...	William
Julia Stiles	...	Isold
Alfred Harmsworth	...	Thor
Vladas Bagdonas	...	Coroner
Felix Eyjólfsson	...	Auto Machanic
Margrét Ólafsdóttir	...	Elderly lady in the Park

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and disturbing images.

Runtime:

90 min (25 fps) | Canada:98 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Iceland | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Finland:K-15 | Norway:15 | USA:R | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | UK:15 (2007) | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Hastings, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Blueeyes Productions

twists & turns

I was really surprised by this screening. I had heard of the director's foreign-language movies but never seen them. So I had not much to go on except that I like the actors... I knew it was a thriller of some kind but didn't expect it to be a thinking person's film. Basically, the movie is an investigation into a mysterious death. But the characters involved have layers and secrets to them as well.

Julia Stiles was ravishing as always, Forest Whitaker very convincing, but I was most drawn in by Jeremy Renner. He's a sneaky actor in a good role. Also must mention Peter Coyote, glad to see him in anything.

Anyway, I enjoy movies with twists and turns, and this one had plenty. It was atmospheric and ultimately satisfying.