Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Bene Cumb It is a drama and so-called independent film (with Icelandic screenwriter/director), but it is not oppressive, but includes plenty of comic moments. The screenplay is witty and distinct (with some predictability though) and all the cast is good (supporting actors) or excellent (leading actors Brian Cox and Paul Dano). They are masterly both together and separately, you constantly feel chemistry between them - does not matter if their characters agree or disagree.Highly recommended, although the film is not to everybody's taste: most of event occur in a bar, scenes including women are infrequent, the ending is ambivalent. But still, this film deserves far more attention, praise and distribution, primarily in northern parts of Europe and America.

Sindre Kaspersen French-born Icelandic screenwriter and director Dagur Kári's third feature film which he wrote, premiered in the Special Presentations section at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival in 2009, was shot on locations in New York, USA and Iceland and is a France-Denmark-Iceland-USA-Germany co-production which was produced by Icelandic producers Skuli Fr. Malmquist and Thor S. Sigurjónsson. It tells the story about a cynical owner of a bar in New York who after having his fifth heart attack ends up at hospital where he meets a homeless man named Lucas who has been committed due to a suicide attempt. After Lucas is released from the hospital, Jacques picks him up from the streets, insists that he becomes his apprentice and let's him stay in a room at his bar.Finely and subtly directed by Icelandic filmmaker Dagur Kári Pétursson, this quietly paced fictional tale which is narrated from multiple viewpoints, draws a heartily portrayal of a friendship and somewhat father-son-like relationship between a middle-aged bartender with prospects and an altruistic vagrant. While notable for it's atmospheric milieu depictions, fine production design by Icelandic production designer and actor Hálfdan Pedersen and cinematography by Danish cinematographer Rasmus Videbæk, this humorous, somewhat surreal and existentialistic drama depicts two mindful studies of character and contains a cheerful score by the Icelandic band Slowblow.This multinational and multilingual independent film about a rare kinship between two men from different generations and lifestyles which is tested by the sudden arrival of a woman named April who shows up out of nowhere, is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure, subtle character development and continuity, quick-witted dialog and the prominent, understated, engaging and commendable acting performances by American actor Brian Cox, American actor Paul Dano and French actress Isild Le Besco. An intimate, unsentimental and diverse character piece which gained, among other awards, the award for Best Director Dagur Kári at the Edda Awards in 2011.

tom van de Bospoort Brilliantly dark and hilarious. Shot in a bar in Reicuvic, Iceland by the director of Noi Albinoi, and the two brilliant actors from the mesmerising L.I.E. With a brilliant performance from Brian Cox.The director has the way of putting his own Icelandic feel to this movie with its very greenish feel in the artistic shots. which were shot in New York and a mocked-up bar in Reicuvic.Totally brilliant humour throughout mixed with the serious moody Brian Cox and upbeat Paul Dano, merges together once again to give a good mix.Definitely the best thing I have seen in the 2010 EIFF, and one I recommend for all to see.

Lee Eisenberg Over the past two to three years, Iceland has mostly made news because of its economic meltdown and because of an unpronounceable volcano. Well, I would say that Dagur Kári's movie "The Good Heart" shows that the island still has a lot to offer us.The movie tells the story of Jacques (Brian Cox) and Lucas (Paul Dano). Jacques is a short-tempered bartender who suffers a heart attack and is put in a hospital bed next to the derelict Lucas. Jacques decides to take Lucas under his wing and teach him the bar-tending business. Although not the nicest person, Jacques is determined to give Lucas a good life. But when Lucas takes unemployed flight attendant April (Isild Le Besco) his wing, the story gets started on an irreversible path.The movie has really good character development. Just watching Jacques on the screen made me feel as if I was walking on eggshells. It certainly gave me an idea of what it must be like to be a bartender and have to deal with certain kinds of people every day. Even though Jacques is kind of nasty as a person, we understand why he's like this, and by extension get a sense of what Lucas and April have to put up with.Like I said, it was a real surprise that much of the funding for "The Good Heart" came from Iceland, and that much of the crew and cast is from the North Atlantic island*. This movie could be seen as the manifestation of Ísland's** potential return from its economic collapse during the past few years. I strongly recommend "The Good Heart" and wish Iceland the best. Lofsöngur! *Many of the names employed the letter thorn, written Þ (upper case) and þ (lower case).**That's Iceland's name in Icelandic.