Read the "Entertainment Weekly" summary and review for more.
Basically, it amounts to 87 minutes of no narration, little dialogue and very occasional musical editorialization. I could hear impatient conversation from the audience at times, sandwiched between the many ooh's and aww's. Although everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm not sure American audiences really know what to do with that much reality.
The first part of the movie, you know when the baby arrives, was slightly off-putting. And I probably would have been more comfortable in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" than with the breastfeeding scenes. Having said that, I think the effort involved in birth and rearing might be exactly what inspires those who procreate to have such an entitled attitude. At least in my neck o' the woods.
Not that I'm against parenthood as a choice, but keep in mind that it is your choice, so keep that snot away from me!
While we're on the subject, you may notice how the overbearing spoilage manifests in developing little personalities. I found myself most attracted to the Mongolian approach to raising a baby. Just tie him up close by and he'll be all right. Let the cows walk on him and big brother beat him up a little; gets him ready for the real world.
American audiences are sure to be shocked at times, but take one step outside the red-white-and-blue box and remember that not everyone on the planet lives the way we do. Some don't even have movie theaters!
Regardless, babies have been surviving just fine for millenia. And yes, there are plenty of bodily fluids, germs and genitalia for your dollar. But the most entertaining --- and cringeworthy --- moments involve siblings and animals. And babies.
If you're into that sort of thing.
