The film starts with
a greeting from the director and the main actors to the audience. Well, not the
actual film, but at least this particular screening. The filmed greeting sets
the tone, though: it’s personal, it’s easygoing and it’s joyful.
The actual movie
also sets the tone right from the get-go. Fastpaced, humorous and innovative,
yet familiar in a sort of comforting way.
Some films are
predictable, and that can make the viewers feel that their intelligence is
being underestimated. Other predictable films can instead evoke a sense of
smartness. Requisitos…. is predictable, but in a good way. It is a romcom,
after all, the most formulaic genre there is. It’s fine for a romcom to be as
expected; the trick is to make the journey to the inevitable finale (where the
two obvious lovebirds finally kiss after some grand gesture) as enjoyable as
possible. And that, RPSUPN does. The disposable romantic foil is not a douche,
just… disposable. The little quirks the protagonist have are fun and unique,
not just there for the sake of quirkiness. There’s laughter and tears, some
Swedish (which is always good fun to come across in a foreign film) and a
general feelgood feel.
When Hollywood
attempts a remake, they will cast Anna Kendrick, Jason Segel and Paul Rudd in
the leads. But as always, there’s no need for that: the original is better!
Passed the Bechdel
test
5 ovens of 6
https://festival.giff.se/events/requirements-to-be-a-normal-person