Desire Avenue

I've just finally seen this movie (thanks John!!),with S/T by Zbiegniew Preisner,Stina on vocals.
Basic plotline:-
Dying Mum (Charlotte Rampling) implores career daughter Kaisa (Lena Headey,strong performance) to bring alcoholic estranged Dad (or is he REALLY Dad?)),working the rigs off Norway,back to her bedside.
Road movie of dysfunctional family ensues during which Kaisa's own dependence (coke habit) emerges, which eventually enables Dad (Stellan Skaarsgaard) to do something like the right thing by his family,and secures a rite of passage for Kaisa and himself.Along the way,lorry-driver Clive (Ian Hart) acts as a kind of delivering angel/romantic interest.
So a kind of study of fragile families and modern dysfunctions,for which Stina would be the perfect soundtrack,you'd think.Well actually she only gets brief look-ins with the little piano-led theme that you're probably familiar with.And always to supplement the scenes of 'happy childhood reminiscence',so that the piano figure (and Stina's voice) are clearly being used to evoke a kind of nursery quality.The full song comes over the closing titles,acting as a kind of summary of the movie,thus suggesting that the innocence of childhood has been fulfilled with experience.Or something like that.
The movie itself was pretty good and the scenes of graphic realism (Dad having the DTs,Dad and daughter getting beaten up by a bunch of yuppie thugs) were done particularly well,but I didn't end up having much sympathy with any of the characters.It's also far from my favourite piece of music featuring Stina.
Anyone else seen it?

More to the point, would anyone want to?

Nice review Dave but i think i'll stick to the washing machine ad.

If you're watching this movie and getting thoroughly depressed by it, just remember that the alcoholic dad is Bootstrap Bill from <i>Pirates Of The Caribbean 2: Yaarrrr Roger The Cabinboy</i> or whatever it was called.

Also, I lived in Aberdeen for two years and must question the storytelling prowess of any director who uses it to symbolise Heaven.

I believe that V. was quite positive about the movie. So I guess it's up to taste. I'm really curious about this movie. How did you get it Dave?

As I say,it's pretty good,definitely worth watching once,if only for the Stina connection.And Zoot,he doesn't equate Aberdeen with Heaven,fear not.
Paul....a kind soul,not too far distant, lent it to me.It's now in the post back.

Glad you enjoyed it Dave.
Its not a fantastically great film or anything,but being the obsessive completist that is me,i just had to see it and figuring it was never going to be shown on telly,i had to buy it...from Amazon USA...who still have it for $27.99 (expensive).
Paul,if you (or anyone)want to borrow it,send me a pm with your address and i'll lend it you.After all,weve got to share the love ...of Stina.