Watch Oslo, August 31st

Oslo, August 31st is a Norwegian drama film that follows a day in the life of Anders, played by Anders Danielsen Lie, a recovering drug addict who is released from a rehabilitation center for a job interview in the city of Oslo. The film is directed by Joachim Trier and based on the novel Le Feu Follet by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle. Anders is a 34-year-old man who has been sober for eight months and is struggling to find his place in the world. He arrives in Oslo for a job interview, but as the day progresses, he finds himself haunted by his past and the memories of his drug addiction. As he wanders the streets of the city, he meets old friends and acquaintances, all of whom remind him of his past mistakes.

Through a series of encounters, Anders' past is slowly revealed to the viewer. We see the ups and downs of his life, from his privileged upbringing to his drug use and ultimately his recovery. The film's intimate focus on Anders' struggles with addiction and purposelessness creates a deeply emotional journey that explores the complexities of human existence.

Anders Danielsen Lie delivers a captivating performance as the protagonist, portraying the character's fragile emotional state with stunning subtlety. The supporting cast, including Hans Olav Brenner as his friend Thomas and Ingrid Olava as his ex-girlfriend Malin, provides excellent support, each offering a unique perspective on Anders' life.

The film's cinematography and score create a melancholic mood that perfectly complements the introspective nature of the story. The camera follows Anders as he walks through Oslo's streets, allowing us to experience the city's beauty and complexity alongside him. The soundtrack is filled with atmospheric, dreamlike music that perfectly captures the ambience of the film.

Ultimately, Oslo, August 31st is a deeply touching and thought-provoking film that explores the complexity of addiction, purposelessness, and the human condition. Its focus on the daily struggles of its protagonist, as he navigates the streets of Oslo, creates a powerful and emotional portrait of a man looking for his place in the world. The film's beautifully crafted cinematography and score only add to the poignant experience.

Oslo, August 31st is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 84.