I decided to watch 1:54 not long ago, and it held my attention completely throughout its runtime. Even though I needed subtitles the whole time because it’s a foreign film, I still got drawn into what was happening. The movie centers on a young boy who goes through some incredibly difficult experiences, beginning with the death of a friend by suicide. Seeing something like that has a real impact on him, and his searc…

It’s better to confront difficult situations than to try and sidestep them entirely. The movie had a good cast, and the initial idea was promising, but it felt like a wasted chance. It touched on issues of bullying and LGBT experiences, yet didn't handle them effectively. The film’s shortcomings really dominated everything else. I felt deeply uneasy while watching; I kept hoping for something positive to emerge, b…