This film no doubt thrills some viewers--especially those who are real fans of the Modernist/Absurdist movement (where confusing and annoying the audience is considered a plus or making a commentary about the banality of modern life!). However, for the average SANE person, this film is a terrible picture--punctuated with only a few decent moments here and there. It reminds me a lot of the Gerard Depardieu film, BUFFET FROID--which also has a pretty small but devoted audience. Please understand that if you LIKE films that are confusing and give the average viewer a headache, then "go for it"--just don't fault me for saying that the average person won't like this film. And, when I say weird and unwatchable, I am not talking about MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL--this is much easier to understand and coherent than this film (plus I LIKE the HOLY GRAIL).

The biggest problems for me are that the film isn't funny, interesting and occasionally is repellent. Apart from a singing number on the subway and some obviously mechanical rats running across the street that were kind of funny, I found nothing humorous about the film at all. And the plot of the world falling apart COULD have either been funny or interesting but it just wasn't. Now as for the repellent, I don't like seeing obese older naked women with large protruding stomachs and massive mounds of pubic hair (enough on one woman for the average sorority). YUCK. And, people being stabbed to death for no reason. And, a guy burning mounds of crucifixes and saying "f--k Christ". And, later in the film, an old guy sits at the bar and spews buckets of vomit--and we are not talking about funny cartoony vomit like what is seen in the Python's films, either.

A true Absurdist film really isn't necessarily meant to be funny but to cause a visceral reaction and deliberately violate conventions. Well, on this level it certainly succeeds, but life is too short to watch unpleasant and pointless crap like this.

PS--apart from graphic and disgusting nudity, devout Christians or anyone offended by images that might be seen as sacrilegious should not watch the film.

PPS--I love international cinema and don't mind "depressing" films. But, there is a limit and this film goes WAY beyond what I consider watchable.

I have seen a lot of movies, but recently not many have completely blown me away. Songs from the Second Floor did. The film does look accomplished, the scenery is stunning and the cinematography is done with deliberate disquietingly static insistence. The pace is meditative, again deliberately done to perhaps give the characters more humanity, but it is never dull. The story is told with a haunting and somewhat surrealistic atmosphere with some biting satirical elements, and even more impressive is its ability to effectively convey modern life's coldness and chaos. Songs from the Second Floor is directed beautifully and while completely improvised there is not an amateurish note in sight. In conclusion, an astounding film really. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Songs from the second floor was a very long watch to me which is weird since this film isnt so long but to me it felt like it lasted for three hours and i almost fall asleep while watching it,but that isnt immedietly a bad thing sometimes this kind of films are supposed to be like that and its story and long dragging can help movie in a lot of ways,it is true true that i found this film to be completly lifeless but it was supposed to be,right ? actors did a good job but characters were boring to me,dialogue wasnt nothing special but it worked for this movie,songs from the second floor was a hard watch and it will pull a lot of people out of it,but once in a while it is good to see something like this