Oslo, August 31st review

Adapted from the same pre-war French novel as Louis Malle’s 1963 Le Feu Follet, Joachim Trier’s second film follows Anders, a recovering drug addict, over the space of 24 hours.

Gaunt and doom-laden, he wanders around Oslo visiting friends and relatives, flirting half-heartedly, leaving unanswered messages with his ex.

Patience is needed: the film follows its hero’s own disaffected pace, and you see the ending coming a long way off.

But Anders Danielsen Lie gives a compelling, deep-etched lead turn, and you’ll find yourself drawn in as he searches for a reason to continue living.