Written by Luke Barnes
Summary
The film follows a working class group of friends who live in Denmark as they try and find a way through life, with lashings of gritty drama thrown in for good measure.
I enjoyed this film quite a bit, before watching I had seen a lot of comparisons to Refn’s other film Pusher with this film coming off less favourably, however, I think this film may be just as good if not better in a few ways. Additionally I think both are quite different beasts so that a strong comparison between the two is impossible.
I think the reason this film spoke to me personally so much is because of Mads Mikkelsen’s Lenny who I related to in far too many ways. Lenny’s journey over the course of the film was for me the best bit, and I enjoyed it more than the central storyline of Leo, played by Kim Bodnia, becoming self-destructive and imploding his life. I suppose the two contrasting storylines show different pathways in life and how everyone’s journey can take them to different places both good and bad, and of course there is a lot to say about masculinity as there is in most if not all of Refn’s work.
I felt myself in many ways applauding the bad things that happen to Leo later in the film as he really does become a love to hate them sort of character as the film progresses, and unlike with Bodnia’s character in Pusher doesn’t really have any redeemable qualities.
My one criticism of this film, which might seem silly when thinking more broadly about Refn’s filmography, is that the darkness here feels all-consuming, though content wise it likely isn’t this feels like Refn’s most sombre and melancholy film which at times can border on the depressing.
Overall, a good film and one that fans of Refn will surely love, if a little depressing.
Pros.
Mikkelsen
The hopeful ending
A sense of karmic justice in the fate of Leo
The long discussions about film
Cons.
It can be a little depressing at times
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