Lovers of the Arctic Circle

A film review by Christopher Null - Copyright © 2001 Filmcritic.com

Surprising, haunting, magical, and spiritual -- Lovers of the Arctic Circle presents a strange story of love and bizarre coincidence, a journey across decades that begins when a boy falls in love with a girl at school. When their parents end up getting married, "brother and sister" begin a torrid affair, then eventually split up when, as a young man, the boy leaves to seek his destiny. As adults, the two try to seek each other out again, converging upon a small island in the Arctic Circle.

Reminscent of Map of the Human Heart, the Spanish-language film is slow to get going and a bit gimmicky (telling the story from both points of view, repeating each scene with a different slant), but it all pays off in the end. Give it a chance; you're sure to fall in love with all three actresses that play the woman throughout her life.

Aka Los Amantes del Círculo Polar.

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Rating

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Cast and Crew

  • Director: Julio Medem
  • Producer: Fernando Bovaira, Enrique López Lavigne
  • Screenwriter: Julio Medem
  • Stars: Najwa Nimri, Fele Martínez, Nancho Novo, Maru Valdivielso, Peru Medem, Sara Valiente, Víctor Hugo Oliveira, Kristel Díaz, Pep Munné, Jaroslav Bielski
  • MPAA Rating: NR