The more I think about this offbeat Icelandic black comedy from director Grimur Hákonarson, the more I appreciate the simplicity of its greatness.
Rams is the the story of Gummi and Kiddi, two bearded brothers, who haven’t spoken to each other for 40 years for reasons unknown. Despite their sad estrangement, they remain neighbours on the sheep farm they grew up on, tending to their stock and passing passive aggressive notes between them with the aid of their trusty dog.
It’s a small scale story told on a massive and majestic mountainous landscape, with typical Nordic wry humour and a foreboding tone as dark as the Icelandic winter. Both the dialogue and brooding score (by composer Atli Orvarsson) are fairly sparse and the wordless interaction between the two brothers is bitterly hilarious and perfectly poignant.
Even if you’re not particularly taken in by the sheep farming draw, then it’s worth it just for the knitwear, which is fantastic.