Cool and Crazy

This documentary about a male choir from a tiny Norwegian fishing village, which lies only a few miles from the North Pole, is heart-warming stuff. The director follows the exploits of the Berlevag Male Choir, a group of around 30 men, aged between 30 and 90-odd, who have made it their mission to drum up some excitement in their tiny drab and declining village. Following them from rehearsals right through to a big showcase of their talents in neighboring Russia, the film is liberally peppered with dry anecdotes and a self-effacing sense of humour from the central players. Indeed, the only problem is, that as affable and likeable as these hardy Norwegian folks are, the director occasionally seems intent on drawing glib comparisons between them and the Vikings, comparisons that leave a slightly sickly taste in the mouth. Or maybe I'm just being cynical.