Cert 15
91 mins
BBFC advice: Strong language
A feud between two farming brothers in remote Iceland did not strike me as a promising premise for a movie but Grímur Hákonarson's Rams is surprisingly compelling.
Rams stars Sigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson as the aforementioned brothers, Gummi and Kiddi, who have not spoken civilly for 40 years.
They are both sheep farmers and live next door to each other, occasionally communicating through notes carried back and forth by a dog.
Inevitably, the messages are designed to wind each other up with the often alcohol-fueled Kiddi usually the first to respond with either verbal or physical abuse.
Their antagonism first manifests itself during a competition over who has the highest quality Ram.
Kiddi wins by a fraction of a point but when Gummi secretly inspects his prize winner, he finds devastating evidence of the ovine disease, scrapie.
This causes even more friction between the pair as does their very different reactions when the disease is confirmed.
Rams' success is down to the conviction of its performances, Both leads are as raw as the harsh Icelandic landscape.
And, as the movie progresses, the complexities of their relationship are exposed even further, leading to an unexpected finale.
Hákonarson has written and directed his film with a light touch that leaves it with a documentary feel.
The brothers' feud is as icy as the surroundings which give the audience a clear picture of the isolation which an Icelandic winter can bring.
All of these facets combine to make Rams a memorable and unusual movie.
Reasons to watch: Totally convincing performances and story
Reasons to avoid: If you are into action movies
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 8/10
Star tweet
Soda Pictures So there's no excuse not to go see it this weekend. Find out where RAMS is screening through or webpage http://www.sodapictures.com/film/rams/