Renown war photographer Isabelle Reed (Isabelle Huppert) died close to home in a car crash. Her work is getting an exhibit with work partner Richard (David Strathairn). Her older son Jonah (Jesse Eisenberg) returns home to help after having a new baby. Her younger son Conrad (Devin Druid) is introverted and has a crush on classmate Melanie (Ruby Jerins). Conrad is furious when he discovers his father (Gabriel Byrne)'s new fling with his teacher Hannah (Amy Ryan). The family struggles to come to terms with their loss and their differing memories of Isabelle.

Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier creates a compelling dysfunctional family. The movie would probably work better concentrating on Conrad as a coming-of-age story. It may not help that Druid is not the most accomplished actor. The allure of following the great adult actors is too much for Trier. These are interesting characters if only he could harness them better visually and narratively.

Good films capture the essence of life, of growing up, the pain, the exclusion, the dynamics that are often felt, and less explored.

I shared the tears of Conrad during the telling "Walk with Melanie" part in which the self reflection recognizes, in the moment, a special time with an adored person that will never come to anything. The tears flowing perhaps at recognition of that, or that the person is not the idol you make them to appear and that its all for not anyway. Who hasn't had an experience like that during a boyhood crush?

The interaction between the brothers is breathtaking and the advice not to share the letter is classic indication of love, of the older brother understanding the pain and not wanting Conrad to further inure his pain.

Strangely though the minutes with Melanie ends up being a tonic for Conrad in which he could move through his pain, even obtain reassurance that it was nice that Melanie could even think that Tuesday lunch would be nice with him. Its touching too in that it is obvious that Conrad, and Jonah are intellects and the girl, in reality, through the described misplaced High School hierarchy, probably looks up to Conrad as well albeit this can't be communicated within the high school corridors of cool.

I comment extensively on the Walk with Melanie part of the movie because it is one of the classic unsequestered young love moments captured in modern film. So eloquent even within the context of what the sad

and tenuous connection was. Walking an inebriated girl home and there being no other connection. With the soundtrack grabbing hold at that exact moment and reprised in the closing credits with the namesake "louder than bombs" perfectly capturing the emotion of the film.

The whole film is mesmerizing albeit I felt the mother, played by Isabel Huppert was weak. Perhaps because she was so unlikable. The movie did not accurately or meaningfully depict how a women would chose war correspondence over caring for her children or how and why that would occur. Nor did it explain a women falling for a despicably played Richard (David Straithairn) who I have liked in films but who played an unlikable character in this one. Plus that she is married to Gabriel Byrne. One has to suspend belief to believe that somebody would prefer Straithairn over Byrne. Or that his children would find him so unlikable. Perhaps some casting mistakes but the brothers, and Melanie, and the teacher were letter perfect casting.

Being a photographer, and having huge respect for photojournalism (and good movie's about photojournalists such as "The Bang Bang Club" - must watch it!) I felt somewhat inclined to watch this movie when coming across it by chance. Although the movie speaks little of photojournalism, what is said regarding the mothers job as a photojournalist is in my opinion, quite profound. What I think the movie is really about, in broad terms, is about family relationships and dealing with issues as time passes and things change within a family, and I think the way that this theme is conducted throughout is natural and relatable. I also really enjoyed the cinematography and thought the movie was shot very well, again with a very natural feel to it, although the style of the movie is not extremely unique (not necessarily a bad thing just a comment) Overall I think it was a great film, and would like to see what else this director has been involved in!