Askel Hennie in HEADHUNTERS, a Magnet Release. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.
If you’re short on time, you’ll love this movie review; there’s very little to say beyond a strong recommendation that you watch this latest Scandinavian crime film offering. Headhunters is based on Norwegian author Jo Nesbo’s thriller of the same name (and no, I haven’t read the book) and rewards viewers with entertainment, suspense, and intrigue in equal measure.
The film, set in Norway, sees a high-level executive, Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie), living beyond his means and financing his lifestyle with a carefully regulated side-business in art theft. On paper he has the perfect life – successful job; beautiful and very tall wife, Diana (Synnove Macody Lund); big house; and, judging by his suits, a pretty good tailor. Ever on the cusp of bankruptcy, he comes across the opportunity of a life-time; the one last job that every movie villain dreams of to finally secure their future. But as he discovers, big wins don’t come easy.
I won’t bore you with the blow by blow narrative as it’s far too good in film to bear recounting in advance. There are captivating ups and downs, clever plot twists, a well-acted and for the most part easy on the eyes cast. In the interests of full disclosure, you should know that there are some look-away gruesome moments but even for the squeamish the overall thrill and enjoyment of the film makes those moments worth putting up with. Moreover, the violence is not gratuitous but forms part of the story.
Like many films with clever plots, Headhunters does suffer from some inconsistencies and lapses in the narrative but, like its violent scenes, it’s not enough to damage the overall. There are some pretty good meaning of life platitudes (although, admittedly, I’m a sucker for the simplest of these) and plenty of credibility-challengers to keep the story trotting along a good pace.
So set aside any concerns you may have about dark brooding European films with not much by way of plot and get thee to a cinema while Headhunters is still screening.
