Headhunters

The difference between what I expected and what I got is too huge. Headhunters is a sort of brutal Nordic pulp, properly cold, chilling, and balanced with a reasonable amount of irony and detachment. The chilling moments don't quite measure up to the best of Fincher, the screenwriting twist where "it all goes pear-shaped" is a worthy match for the Coens, and the proper butchery makes one think of earlier equally proper old-school American pieces. With all the charming melancholy of Scandinavia and a not entirely predictable conclusion, Headhunters can comfortably endeavor for foreign film status for 2011. I would sincerely wish them that, although I "honestly" doubt they’ll even get a nomination. I'd love to be wrong, because the inventiveness in this is truly immense. (2012-01-09)

I admit that my concentration was not at the level that such a renowned Nordic film deserved (when I get a text message from my dream girl, perhaps only Stanley Kubrick has better chances...), but I can defend my three stars. I didn't like the way the story was conceived and constructed, how the director forced me to explore and enjoy the mostly physical suffering of the main character, for whom he could generate almost no sympathy at the beginning. Moreover, the plot scheme seems unnecessarily complex, contrasting sharply with the straightforward, atmospheric and suggestively violent second half, which, on the other hand, is exactly what I was looking forward to and what even Americans are not so skilled at – an entertaining, formally chilling and at times almost black-humoured whirlwind of playful and, above all, functional script tricks and naturalistic imagery, whose only weakness remains its sheer coldness and emotional detachment. It's like watching a beautiful football match, filled with goals and great action in the second half, but between Tanzania and Zimbabwe – I'll be satisfied, but I won't care how it ends :-D 65% (2015-10-14)

I finally understand why Jo Nesbo is considered a master in the field of crime literature. Based on such great source material, the screenplay is well-written and the film is well-directed. However, it must be noted that neither the screenwriters nor the director made any serious mistakes. For about three-quarters of the way, I was convinced that I was watching a 100% five-star film. Typical Scandinavian madness, pitch-black humor, crazy situations, absurdity - even if I didn't know the country of origin, I would immediately guess it's from one of the Nordic countries. But then comes the last quarter, delimited by Roger's encounter with his wife, playing on strong emotions, and the previous atmosphere starts to crumble a bit. When the finale arrived, I thought to myself that the screenwriter had indeed made two logical somersaults. Although the first one was saved by the final credits, the second one - how can a man in the main character's situation believe a woman and bet everything on one card? That really doesn't make sense to me. Nevertheless, Headhunters cannot be denied its originality, pervasive tension, captivating characters, and impressive ending. Despite some minor reservations, I lean toward a 5-star rating. There aren't many films like this, where it is a joy to follow the development of the plot and not be deceived by screenwriting shortcomings. Overall impression: 90%. Although I'm not a moralist, I definitely wouldn't let a 12-year-old child watch this film. After all, it is a quite bloody mess, not commonly seen in today's cinema. (2013-08-18)

It’s been long since two dead fat people were so funny… A perfect Nordic thriller, and, against expectations, it’s not serious or depressing, but a brisk and entertaining film that knows how to make you feel tension, surprise and fun. PS: Plus points for giving a certain animal species the end it deserved (#cantavoidphobia). (2011-11-10)

Genre perversion in the Norwegian style. A heist, a drama about a guy with low self-esteem issues, exploitation, a thriller... Tyldum didn't quite handle the connection, and at times his conception is unpleasantly television-like and sterile, but some of the passages are almost divine (especially the part with shit and the tractor). Nesbo is undoubtedly a clever author – the story feels deliberately stupid only to surprise (within the genre limits) with solid twists at the end. The film could benefit from more perspective and better dialogues. The entertainment it offers is on the edge of guilty pleasure. Aksel Hennie in the main role is somewhere between Christopher Walken and Steve Buscemi... his focused and believable transformation from a complex dwarf to a man at his limit forces me to give 4* to this boundless and not-quite-managed directing weirdness. (2011-10-26)