Review of Twist and Shout

I agree with Commenter Michael that the title (not to mention the Beatles-saturated first 15 minutes) are misleading. Any other youth diversion or fad would've served the movie's themes just as well. Such is not to say the plot and its issues are uninteresting or moving. The camera work and the plotting and pacing of T&S are fine, with the exception of a "daydream" sequence that, while funny, doesn't fit in the film at all. Other aspects suffer. The translation may be to blame for the dialog, though I suspect even Norwegian teens speak more effusively; i.e., not in such clipped, terse blurts. That Simonsen and Soeberg act so well unfortunately contrasts Tonsberg and Bondo's unconvincing performances; e.g., Tonsberg is unauthentic and Bondo one-dimensional. Though Simonsen's Eric has the storyline that ultimately prevail's over Bjorn's travails, such is done in a way that buries the relevance of Bjorn and Anna's romance and Eric's desire for Kirsten. What this film is supposed to be about is the bonding and loyalty between Bjorn and Eric. Such becomes lost, despite a revival attempt at the end.