It’s a testament to Kári’s direction and Jónsson’s performance that Virgin Mountain remains engrossing despite being relentlessly downbeat.

Jónsson doesn’t soften his performance by suggesting Fúsi is a vivacious character isolated by society’s harsh judgment of his appearance. Instead, he shows that crippling shyness is the only thing holding him back from having any personality at all.

The story is handled sympathetically, but the inescapable fact is that the screenplay is just too boring to really stick in the mind. Even worse is Fúsi’s relationship with Sjöfn; refreshing, but handled terribly when it really matters in the final act.

A great performance from Jónsson, but the fundamentals of the story and its slow pace stubbornly restrict Virgin Mountain to mediocrity.

RATING: 2/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Gunnar Jónsson, Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir, Sigurjón Kjartansson

DIRECTOR: Dagur Kári

WRITER: Dagur Kári

SYNOPSIS: Fúsi, a 43 year-old man, still lives with his mother. His daily life is characterised by a monotonous routine. The appearance of vibrant Sjöfn and young Hera will upset his old bachelor habits.