Hilde Petersen: General Delivery is a strange, quiet little relic

Is this for you?

If you like movies that feel like they were pulled out of a dusty trunk in an attic, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here. It’s got that specific, polite charm that you just don't see anymore. If you need pacing that moves at the speed of a modern blockbuster, skip this. You will get bored within ten minutes.

Hilde is the kind of character who spends half the movie looking slightly stressed about a mailbox. It’s a very specific brand of anxiety that feels both ancient and kind of relatable.

The Mailbox Struggle

There is a lot of focus on mail in this movie. Like, an unreasonable amount. Hilde is so terrified of her mother finding out she’s unemployed that she treats a trip to the post office like she’s a spy in a cold war thriller. It’s funny, but it’s also kind of sad.

Alice Treff plays Hilde with this frantic energy that never quite boils over. She holds her breath a lot. I started holding my breath too, just because she looked like she might pass out if she didn't get her letters on time.

Love over Employment?

The movie eventually tries to pivot into a romance, which felt like a bit of a stretch. Like, really? You’re going to solve your entire life’s professional crisis by just falling for the first guy who looks decent in a hat? It’s a nice sentiment, but it feels like the movie gave up on the job hunt subplot entirely to make time for the schmaltz.

It’s not as biting or sharp as A Little Girl in a Big City, which actually had something to say about the world. This is much softer. It feels like a Sunday afternoon nap.

A Few Notes

• The supporting cast is mostly there to nod and look concerned.
• The post office sets are strangely pristine. Nobody ever seems to be waiting in line.
• I’m still not sure if Hilde actually likes the guy she meets, or if she’s just relieved she doesn't have to explain her resume gap to him.
• There is a moment near the middle where a door slams, and it echoes for about three seconds too long. It was weirdly loud.

It’s a light watch, really. Don't go in expecting a masterclass in drama. It’s just a movie about a lady and her letters. Sometimes that’s enough, I guess. ✉️