Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Casey Duggan It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

gizmomogwai With Ruben Östlund just having won the Palme d'Or for The Square, he could look back at Force Majeure as having given him a foot in the door for Cannes recognition. Watch out for the IMDb synopsis, giving the impression this is a survival story. It's nothing of the sort; the family are not actually in the avalanche, no one is harmed in what was a controlled avalanche. The key is that for a split second, it appears to get out of control, and the husband's reaction breaks down trust in his marriage. Force Majeure is essentially Scenes from a Marriage in the Snow, a marriage drama in which the wife struggles with abandonment issues, and the family could come apart. This, and some beautiful, striking photography are two key qualities of the film, though those out only for an action/survival story will not appreciate this.On the down side, Force Majeure does drag in parts; Östlund can't expect to be Ingmar. The end, with the bus, where the roles of wife and husband are reversed, does lack subtlety- yes, it turns out we don't know how we'll always react, and perceived brushes with death, however mistaken, will lurk behind every single corner. Still, it's obvious why Östlund would have established himself as a director to watch with this.

dakjets A different movie experience This film addresses both gender roles, intercourse issues and how to deal with crises. The movie is good, but demanding to watch. The actors do a great job, especially the main actors as the couple who are really put to the test. When I saw this movie it is easy to think how one would react in different situations. For example, it's a little odd to me that the husband getting faster and clearly confronted by his wife. But she tries in her own way. The tension rises between them. The film therefore also provides insights into reactions and how people handle unpleasant episodes in close relationships. There is no fuss on such, but this couple is not good at it, to express it in one way. The score are also used very effective. The film is slow and a well-performed movie drama

Lee Eisenberg I knew nothing about Ruben Östlund's "Turist" ("Force Majeure" in English) when I started watching it, so that made it more intense. I interpreted the movie as a look at instances when people suppress unpleasant things, only to see dangerous situations force them to face reality. The approaching avalanche foretells the repressed issues that the family will have to address, and the question of how to flee a dangerous place functions as a good plot device.We often stereotype Scandinavian movies as slow, and this is no exception. But mind you, the slow pace allows the story and the characters to thoroughly develop, and the music really sets the stage. The alpine setting may look pristine and idealistic, but what transpires over the course of the movie is nothing of the sort.I recommend it.

bob the moo I had heard the basic plot of this film described and was curious how it would work. I assumed that the main event of the avalanche would be a bigger moment and with lasting physical consequences (for some reason I pictured the family alone in a cabin for the tensions to build). Instead the traumatic event of the film is less impacting in its physical moment, almost to the point where I wondered what the film would do for the remainder of its two hour running time. What it does is slow but satisfying in the way it unfolds. From this moment we watch the characters fracture and struggle; as individuals and as a family. It is not wholly successful but in the main part it plays out well.The slow pace and long takes are part of the film working, as they set a tone of tension which mostly exists in a vacuum of silence. This occurs not only in the context of the landscape, but also in the smaller shots – for instance the amount of time we spend behind the characters as they stand with their backs to us. I liked the slightly invasive feel this gave the film, as it did feel like we were watching scenes play out, rather than them being played out for the viewer. This relies a lot on the cast to deliver within this space, and mostly they do. Some of the characters feel added for the sake of the narrative, but in the case of the lead two they are strong in their individual and joint performances. The tension between them, and their own struggles as people, are presented in a convincing and engaging way. It doesn't matter that you do not like the characters per se, but they are interesting – even if I ended the film not liking who Tomas is, I enjoyed understanding him better.The pace is at times a bit too slow and the running time a bit long, but mostly the film controls it very well. It is impressive how well the tone and pace is established in the shoot, and the design and construction of the film comes together. Mostly though it is a film made in the small moments, the interactions, and the internal fracturing/testing of characters. The conclusions are not cheerful perhaps but it is cleverly done and I enjoyed how well it delivered the characters.