Fjord is written and directed by Cristian Mungiu, best known for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and Graduation, and features Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. This film is about a lot of things, but at its core, it follows a family trying to get their children back after they are wrongfully taken by child protective services. Along the way, the story explores faith, religious persecution, cultural differences, resistance to change, and the importance of community. There are plenty of political interpretations that viewers can take from the film, but I think Mungiu does something more interesting than simply taking one side or the other.
The film can be interpreted as pro-immigration and pro-LGB, while also being pro-Christian and supportive of traditional family values. Rather than forcing the story into one ideological corner, Mungiu allows these ideas to coexist, creating a film that encourages viewers to consider perspectives they might otherwise dismiss. I appreciate that approach because it gives the audience room to think for themselves instead of having the screenplay dictate what they should believe. The film's central message is ultimately about finding love in the things we do and avoiding hatred, regardless of which side we find ourselves on. I think there is something beautiful about that message, especially when so many stories seem more interested in reinforcing divisions than exploring what people have in common.
Sebastian Stan, known for The Apprentice and his work as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel films, has a particularly powerful moment that demonstrates just how much he can communicate without dialogue. Even when his face is turned away from the camera, you can tell that his character is mourning. It is a subtle moment, but it speaks to both his ability as an actor and Mungiu's ability to frame a scene in a way that allows an emotional performance to resonate without spelling everything out for the audience.
Renate Reinsve, known for The Worst Person in the World and Sentimental Value, is excellent throughout the film. Much of her performance relies on her actions rather than her words, and she does a phenomenal job conveying emotion through her physical presence and reactions. Her work is another example of how the direction allows the performances to speak for themselves. She does not need to explain everything her character is feeling because the audience can see it in what she does.
My biggest issue with Fjord is its length. The film is better directed than written, and while its themes and performances are compelling, the screenplay could have been more focused. Some of the ideas are repeated or explored at a pace that makes the experience feel longer than it needs to be. The direction, however, gives the story room to breathe, and the actors make the emotional moments land even when the writing could have been tighter.
Ultimately, Fjord is a thoughtful film that leaves room for different interpretations without sacrificing its central message about love, faith, family, and community. Mungiu deserves credit for approaching complicated cultural and political divisions with more independence than I expected, while Stan and Reinsve deliver performances that communicate just as much through silence and action as they do through dialogue. The runtime prevents the film from reaching its full potential, but I appreciate what it is trying to say and how it encourages the audience to look past hatred toward something more compassionate. Fjord is a beautiful reminder that people can disagree about many things and still find reasons to love one another. Result: B+
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