Loss is always a central theme in the films of exceptional Norwegian director Joachim Trier. In his celebrated debut REPRISE it was about the young protagonist’s innocence. In OSLO, 31. AUGUST it was the life of someone else. In LOUDER THAN BOMBS, Trier’s first film in English, it’s the death of a loved one and her connection to three figures. It’s been three years since renowned war photographer Isabelle Reed (Isabelle Huppert) lost her life in a car accident. Is it enough time to heal the wounds? Her husband Gene (Gabriel Byrne) is not equipped to look at his wife’s photos for an upcoming exhibition so he asks his son Jonah (Jesse Eisenberg) to help. Jonah is a new father but he can’t bring himself to be very happy about it. There’s a longing and emptiness there that gnaws at him and he rekindles something with an ex very soon after he comes home. His little brother Conrad (Devin Driud) is clearly having difficulties coming to grips with his mother’s death. He constantly plays games online. His has a difficult relationship with his father. When some secrets about Isabelle’s life are uncovered it brings the three closer together.
Trier weaves together flashbacks of the relationship Isabelle had with her family members in this quiet drama. A fight with Gene, the gentle care for Conrad. Showing Jonah the manipulative power of image. Trier also plays with audience perception and shows situations from different perspectives that create different meanings. This is how he succeeds in distinctly showing all four individual perspectives, a device supported by strong acting in this moving, subdued film.

Lars Tunçay

Translation: Elinor Lewy