The Wave is about a geologist who decides to take a lucrative oil job and move away from the bucolic beauty of Geiranger with his family. The geologist cannot stop worrying about abnormal readings that may indicate a possible rockslide into the Geirangerfjord that would set off a huge tsunami that would submerge the village. The family has a weird dynamic. One minute, the teenage son is understandably grossed out that his parents can’t keep their hands off of each other then the next minute, the little sister seems worried that the couple are going to get a divorce. The Wave just wants to establish the trope that only a disaster can reunite this not really fractured family.
The Wave is like every standard American disaster movie except for two factors. First, The Wave is based on an actual environmental catastrophe that can happen and has happened in that region. The Wave is more beautiful than the average CGI laden disaster film because of the location. Second, The Wave is a Norwegian film. I noticed that many Norwegian films are very similar to Hollywood blockbusters as opposed to their more introspective, artsy fartsy European neighbors.
The Wave’s geologist is a cross between David Bowie and The Walking Dead’s Daryl Dixon so if Hollywood decides to remake the film, Norman Reedus should demand the part and just work on a less regionally specific accent. The Wave is filled with absurd moments.
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First, would a hotel really let an employee’s son stay in a room for free at the height of tourist season? Second, if there was a huge earthquake, you would definitely notice even it if you were in a windowless basement. Third, was the mother formerly Bond Villain Xenia Onatopp in witness protection? Fourth, why did that couple feel compelled to help a woman whom they only met that day? Sure it is possible because it is Norway, but when the tourist husband suddenly becomes a murder, it makes the earlier selfless moment seem implausible. Fifth, traditionally being submerged in water in a car or a basement has saved no one ever. Sixth, if you know a disaster is going to strike, why not proceed with moving that day? Seventh, ALL his coworkers suck?
If you are looking for a pretty disaster movie with subtitles, The Wave is the movie that you have been waiting for!