THANKS TO THE WRITINGS of Sweden’s Stieg
Larsson – whose GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO grew so powerful, Hollywood had to claim
her – Scandinavian hijinks have never been more in vogue. This highly
inventive romp, from neighbouring Norway, is also based on a best-selling tome
(from writer Jo Nesbo), and comes loaded with lashings of black humour.
Smooth-talking crim Roger Brown (Aksel
Hennie, above) is a corporate headhunter by day, struggling to meet the demands of a
lavish lifestyle he bestows on gorgeous gallery-owner wife Diana (Lund), while
bedding other beauties to nurse his raging ego. His solution to his financial
woes is simple: covert art theft, from his wealthiest clients, replacing
priceless works with fakes.
When Brown meets former Dutch mercenary
Clas Greve (Coster-Waldau), though, matters begin to go awry. Greve owns one of
the most valuable pieces of modern art, and Brown appears to be prepared to
risk everything to steal it. Greve also offers more than a passing glance in
Diana –and shows a curious interest in her husband – while Brown is
distractedly plotting to finally enjoy financial security.
Before long, a jaw-dropping series of
events leads Brown off his carefully manicured path, as his past threatens to
catch up with him via a whirlwind series of comeuppances that, at times, will
have you wincing (and at others, howling with laughter). He has, with Greve,
picked the wrong client to mess with.
It’s little surprise, perhaps, that the
producers of this film were also behind the Millennium Trilogy series based on
Stieg Larsson’s books. Clearly, they now have Nesbo in their stable as the next
big-screen thing.
Tonally, the film offers a deft blend of heist,
humour and gore, which only wanes ever-so slightly when Brown’s denouement must,
ultimately, come to a head. Overall, though, it’s a super-slick thriller that
doesn’t let up, with exceptional performances all round. Make sure you catch it
before the inevitable US remake rears its head.
Critical
Rating: 8/10.
ED
GIBBS
First
published in The Sun-Herald.
I have read this blog the film offers a deft blend of heist, humour and gore, which only wanes ever-so slightly when Brown’s denouement must, ultimately, come to a head.
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