Have you ever watched Birdman?
You know, that movie that everyone raved about because of how seamless it felt, and it looked like the camera never even cut. It was truly impressive which is why it was awarded best picture for its year. However, a year before Birdman came Victoria, a film by Sebastian Schipper, in which a girl in a foreign city is paraded around town by a group of friendly guys, having a blast while committing small misdemeanors until eventually, just as every story does, the stakes heighten. Oh and did I mention it was shot in ONE SINGLE TAKE?!
None of that gimmickee bullsh*t you see in Birdman. They don’t ever pull the old, “super zoom into the door and cut” trick that fools us into thinking the shot never ended. No, this movie brings you from the first minute where we’re first introduced to Victoria, to the last, where we end our journey with her walking down the streets of Berlin, and it doesn’t stop rolling. Apparently, they got funding for just three tries (again three single takes), and third time was definitely the charm in this case.
Beyond just the accomplishment of successfully filming this German adventure in just one beautiful take, the story, acting, and camera work were all phenomenal. Do you realize how hard it is for a camera man to get fantastic shots when he’s been filming nonstop for two plus hours? It’s indescribably difficult and the fact that they were able to showcase such amazing camerawork whilst doing so is probably why the director made sure the cinematographers name was the first on the credits.
Couple all this with the raw, unfiltered acting from our five main protagonists and what you get is a one of a kind film that has been categorized as a must see. Laia Costa, who plays Victoria, wasn’t able to break out of character for the entirety of the two hour and twenty minute run time and boy did she do an exquisite job of not only remaining in, but becoming her character. Through all the heartbreak, frustration, excitement, ecstasy, and pure anxiety that this movie immerses you in, the actors hold firm to their roles, providing one of the more convincing stories we’ve ever seen.
Now, leave this page, find some way to watch this movie. Don’t look it up, read about it, or watch a preview, none of that. This isn’t a movie that you have to like, so no need to analyze whether or not you want to watch it, since you have to watch it. Sit back, press play, and enjoy the experience.
Verdict: 4.75/5
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