Watch The Almost Man

The Almost Man is a Norwegian film that follows the story of Henrik (Henrik Rafaelsen), a thirtysomething man who still hasn't quite grown up. He works at a daycare center, and while he's great with kids, he's not so great at dealing with adult responsibilities. He hates his job, he doesn't like spending time with his girlfriend Tone (Janne Heltberg), and he's unsure about starting a family.

The film opens with Henrik and Tone visiting friends at their vacation cottage. Henrik is restless and bored, and he doesn't seem to fit in with the other couples. He tries to revive a game of strip poker that nobody seems interested in, and he's generally awkward and uncomfortable. When he and Tone leave to go home, Henrik gets lost and takes a wrong turn, leading him to crash his car into some trash cans.

This sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is a darkly comedic exploration of Henrik's midlife crisis. He starts to feel increasingly disconnected from his life and those around him, and he begins to act out in strange ways. He steals a baby carriage from a store and puts a doll in it because he wants to "test-drive" being a father. He gets drunk and hits on his female coworkers, which gets him fired from his job. He even starts to spend time with an old friend who seems to be stuck in the same rut as he is, living in a messy apartment and smoking weed all day.

Throughout all of this, Henrik remains a sympathetic character, thanks in part to Rafaelsen's nuanced performance. Even though he's making some truly questionable decisions, you can't help but feel sorry for him as he struggles to figure out what he wants out of life. The supporting cast is equally strong, especially Egil Birkeland as Henrik's father, who has his own demons to deal with. The scenes between Henrik and his dad are some of the film's most affecting, as they try to navigate their strained relationship and communicate with each other.

One of the film's biggest strengths is its sense of humor. Despite the heavy subject matter, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Henrik is a highly flawed character, but his antics are often so ridiculous that you can't help but chuckle. The film also has a sharp, observational wit that accurately portrays the absurdity of modern life.

Another standout aspect of The Almost Man is its visual style. Director Martin Lund has a great eye for detail, and he makes the most out of the film's dreary, industrial location. There's a touch of melancholy to the cinematography that perfectly suits Henrik's mood. The film is beautifully shot and edited, with some memorable sequences that are both funny and poignant.

Overall, The Almost Man is a compelling and entertaining film that tackles some weighty themes with wit and charm. It's a portrait of a man struggling to find his place in the world, and it's one that's sure to resonate with many viewers. Lund and his talented cast and crew have crafted a film that's both poignant and hilarious, and it's definitely worth checking out.

The Almost Man is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 64.