Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Under the Tree Blu-ray Movie Review

A comedic tree with an abundance of fruit

A sublime dark comedy, Under the Tree is a fascinating battle between neighbors feuding over a tree which casts a shadow on the porch and yard next-door. Produced by Grímar Jónsson (Undercurrent, Valhalla) and Sindri Páll Kjartansson (Of Horses and Men, Either Way), the movie is a comical and largely entertaining gem that showcases the pettiness of rivalries and the excruciatingly ridiculous nature of arguments.

Inga (Edda Björgvinsdóttir) and Baldvin (Sigurður Sigurjónsson) are an elderly couple furious that their next door neighbors want to cut down their beautiful front-yard tree and have it removed from sight. Konrad (Þorsteinn Bachmann) and Eybjorg (Selma Björnsdóttir) are the similarly upset next door neighbors who want more sunlight on their front yard and are annoyed by the apparent stubbornness of Inga and Baldvin. The entire central plot revolves around the disagreement over the tree and the strange events which follow.

The sub-plot focuses on Inga and Baldvin's son, Atli (Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson). A young man with wife and child, Atli finds himself getting into a disagreement with his spouse when his gorgeous wife Agnes (Lára Jóhanna Jónsdóttir) discovers him watching a pornographic sex tape he filmed of both himself and a former lover (who was close friends with them). Atli's response to the discover? He was horny. Thus visitation for their young daughter Asa (Sigrídur Sigurpálsdóttir Scheving) comes into play as another feud unfolds.

The performances are part of the perfect recipe for Under the Tree. The dark comedic sensibilities of the film would not have been possible were it not for the remarkable lead actors. Actress Edda Björgvinsdóttir, who is usually cast in straight comedic roles, takes a darker turn here. The son character performed by Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson is a vital one that helps carry the sub-plot. Throughout the film, I was amazed by the ferocity of these actors and their dedications to their significant roles. The performances are electrifying.

"Did you want to cut down the tree or wrestle?"

The original music score by Daniel Bjarnason (Come to Harm, The Deep) adds to the charm of the filmmaking. So does the art direction by Anna Maria Tomasdottir (Woman at War, Venjulegt fólk). Costumes by Margrét Einarsdóttir (Arctic, Rams) are true to the respective characters in the odd storyline. The entire production design and aesthetic seems designed to help aid the quirkiness displayed by the story.

One of the best aspects of the film is nonetheless the gorgeous cinematography by Monika Lenczewska (City of Lies, Park). Under the Tree is a beautiful looking film which seems to suggest the darkness at play underneath the seemingly calm veneer of the conflicts in motion moment-by-moment. As both feuding neighbors start to ramp up their conflict by bringing their pets into the equation, things get decidedly messy and the photography reflects every moment as if a lucid dream.

Directed by Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson (Paris of the North, Either Way), the filmmaker made compelling decisions about where to take the story by co-writing the screenplay with co-screenwriter Huldar Breiðfjörð (Dramarama, Niceland) and taking every element into part of the overarching equation in the film. Each character has a unique storyline and a complete arc. There are many surprises in store for viewers.

The cinematic language of Under the Tree is in the same vein of something one would find from the minds of the Coen Brothers and one gets the sense that the film is more a comedy than drama despite the remarkably chaotic spiral downwards that the story weaves. A fascinating character-study and gem of rampant stupidity, the film showcases the pettiness of feuds in high-fashion. Don't miss it.

Under the Tree Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented on Blu-ray from distributor Eureka Entertainment, Under the Tree has received a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The film has a subdued color palette which is well reproduced with the transfer. The beautiful photography looks startlingly crisp and clear throughout the entire presentation.

There were a few scenes with remarkably slight banding and minor compression issues – which most viewers won't spot (as the moments are "blink or you miss it" in style). Despite the transfer being a slight notch below perfection it is still an exceptional transfer on the whole. Viewers will be quite pleased with the stunning imagery showcasing the gorgeous cinematography by Lenczewska.

Under the Tree Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Presented in Icelandic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Under the Tree has a compelling lossless audio soundtrack. The track has exceptional clarity throughout the entire presentation. There are some interesting scenes with surprising potency in the surround channels – with regards to music reproduction the track is crystal clear and sounds beautiful.

Under the Tree is a quiet drama but it comes to life in the concluding scenes of the film with a surround track which showcases far more vitality than expected. The dynamics of these concluding moments were impressive. A quality lossless sound mix that fits the bill. Even better than expected.

Under the Tree Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Making "Under the Tree" (HD, 23:38) is a behind the scenes production delving into the development of the feature-film. Subtitled in English.

The documentary features the cast and crew discussing their respective parts with regards to the production. Director Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson discusses the concept and his unique approach to making a dark comedy with dramatic elements. The filmmaker delves into the personal decision of finding a good tree to use for the production to be more realistic and effective in approach and the careful attention to detail given to picking out said tree.

The feature includes some roundtable footage featuring actors Edda Björgvinsdóttir and Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson discussing their parts and what it was like working together for the first time – these performers discuss the film and their respective roles.

Under the Tree Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:45)

Under the Tree Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A compelling experience which slowly descends into total chaos, Under the Tree is a sublime dark comedy which has an enormous amount of fun exploring the stupidity of feuds. The performances are electrifying and the script is hilarious (even if not in a laugh-out-loud sort of way). The direction is undeniably compelling and showcases a developing director-to-watch. Featuring an impressive presentation and a nice making-of documentary which delves into the behind the scenes, the release comes highly recommended.