The Square (2017)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  151 Minutes

Rated: 15

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Director: Ruben Östlund

Starring: Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, Terry Notary, Christopher Læssø, Lise Stephenson Engström, Martin Sööder

IMDB Rank: 7.1/10

Part 1 Time:  69 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  82 Minutes

Where does the first part end? While taking out his garbage, Christian (Claes Bang) receives a phone call from the Central Station 7-Eleven attendant informing him he has a package.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Thank you for calling, great bye,” Christian finishes his conversation with the Central Station 7-Eleven attendant.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Will you be wearing your hair up?” Blond Advertising Agent (Martin Sööder) asks to his co-worker in the museum elevator.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal/ Somewhat, Christian has his cellphone back, but it seems that someone has taken offence to the tactics he used to reacquire it. How will this mystery character’s promise of “make chaos,” impact Christian?

Which part is better? Part two is better as a distracted Christian begins to make clumsy mistakes that lead to negative effects in both his personal and professional life. Not to mention, part two also includes the 10 minute monkey performance scene, which is both equally bizarre as it is funny. This scene (probably one of the most uncomfortable performances to watch of 2017), clearly demonstrates that “art is in the eyes of the beholder”- E. A. Bucchianeri.

Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film (Nominated)