Headhunters

[wcmartell]

Saw this film last night - and look for it when it hits vid. A wild ride story about a big time corporate headhunter who is great at sizing people up... but his size is his problem. He's really short and has a very tall very hot wife. Because he deals with wealthy CEO guys every day, but is not wealthy himself... he has a side job to bring in some extra income - when he interviews a CEO he asks about what sort of art they own... then breaks in and steals it. That's the opening of the film - so no spoilers.

But things go very wrong when he steals from the wrong guy... and it's a sick and twisted rollercoaster - and you will never look at an empty toilet paper tube in the same way.

This film has its cake and eats it, too - it's like a crazy Coen Bros movie that is non-stop crazy chase (bloody and violent) but still has heart and some great emotional scenes that would be at home in a serious drama from Norway.

One of the other great things is how the pieces all come together at the end. Things that you didn't know were set ups end up paying off. There are other things... which would be spoilers.

- Bill

[Twofingeredtypist]

Nesbo is big in my part of the universe at the moment. Scorsese is on the Working Title adaptation of The Snowman

[Jules]

Definately see it. It reminded me of seeing The Girl with the dragon tattoo. It's powerful, shocking. An all around amazing film. It's a five star film. And there's one scene. No one give it away. Which just has to be seen to be believed. Furthering on from what BIll said about the toilet roll, it might be a good idea if you all take toilet rolls with you when you see the film, it's the only way you will get through to the other end of the movie alive.

[Biohazard]

Is this the one about the art heist?

If so, it's been in my watchlist for a few weeks now. Looks interesting.

[Jules]

It wouldn't be true to say it's 'about' an art heist. That does figure into it in some small capacity, but it's about so much more than that.

[CrackDown]

I thought this film was a bit inconsistent and unintentionally funny in places, which kinda took it away from the gritty style it was aiming for. It takes quite a large turn about half way through and doesn't give up. Entertaining, but not 'quality' entertainment.

[wcmartell]

I don't think it was *ever* unintentionally funny - it's funny on purpose. Grand Gugnol stuff. Like BLOOD SIMPLE or THE TENANT or any number of thrillers that take things to the extreme - which is somewhat absurd. Funny - in a twisted way. This guy goes through so much hell that you laugh - but that's intended. The staging of the tractor scene (working to avoid spoilers here) is funny on purpose - or they would have taken away some props and made it less silly. But that wasn't the tone they were going for - so we get the silly elements.

Art heist is the first 5 minutes... then we get kind of a domestic drama... then things spiral out of control.

What is interesting in foreign films is that you don't know any of the stars. I went on IMDB and looked up some of these people, and the kind of plain actress who plays one of the character's mistress... is *hot* in real life. That was a character role for her.

- Bill

[Twofingeredtypist]

Originally Posted by wcmartell

I don't think it was *ever* unintentionally funny - it's funny on purpose. Grand Gugnol stuff. Like BLOOD SIMPLE or THE TENANT or any number of thrillers that take things to the extreme - which is somewhat absurd. Funny - in a twisted way. This guy goes through so much hell that you laugh - but that's intended. The staging of the tractor scene (working to avoid spoilers here) is funny on purpose - or they would have taken away some props and made it less silly. But that wasn't the tone they were going for - so we get the silly elements.

Art heist is the first 5 minutes... then we get kind of a domestic drama... then things spiral out of control.

What is interesting in foreign films is that you don't know any of the stars. I went on IMDB and looked up some of these people, and the kind of plain actress who plays one of the character's mistress... is *hot* in real life. That was a character role for her.

- Bill

She actually played the pretty victim in the original Danish version of The Killing (still the only version I've seen). Film is definitely intentionally funny. Black comedy in the Hitchcock mode.

[Richmond Weems]

Yeah, just came back from seeing this, and excellent film all 'round. Darkly comic.

When they do the American remake (and they will) I want Peter Dinklage in the main role.

HH

[Manchester]

Originally Posted by wcmartell

... and you will never look at an empty toilet paper tube in the same way.

This film has its cake and eats it, too...

Imagery whiplash.

But does sound worth a look. Thanks.