Film Review: Headhunters (15) (Norway 2011) (Norwegian with English Subtitles) (Director: Morten Tyldum), Sunday 10.06.2012 13:15 Filmhouse Screen Three, Edinburgh

This was the second time I have seen this film at the cinema.
Last week I got two complementary tickets for the Filmhouse that had to be used before the end of June 2012. With already having purchased other tickets for this month, I thought I would treat myself to seeing this again.

I saw this the first time, largely due to knowing that it was made by the same production company behind the Swedish 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Trilogy, which I had greatly enjoyed. I have also in recent times enjoyed Danish and Swedish Television products - Wallander, The Killing, Borgen + after seeing Headhunters, The Bridge, as well as Swedish and Danish cinema offerings.

I have not read any of Jo Nesbo's books so cannot make any comparisons to the source text.

Some startles that were there on first viewing clearly were not going to work again, though it still offered a lot on the second view.

The film is well paced in terms of action and dialogue - subtitles are easy enough to keep up with to not be an issue. The film develops well with good internal logic in the telling of the story.

There are many moments of unexpected good dark humour.

The central couple are well performed with good development of character. The film makes good use of assumptions that are made within relationships and how though being honest with someone gives the opportunity for them to be genuinely supportive. Connected to this is also plot development about the destructive nature of vanity and it's connection with insecurity.

The 'villain' of the film is also portrayed well and it is refreshing to see such a protagonist as being played cold with no disclosed personal reasoning for their actions - for the male of the central couple, this is essentially irreverent.

The ending has elements that don't surprise and elements that do, though all felt quite satisfying.
Essentially it is a good romp. There is not anything about it that will cause it to linger for years as a classic, though it is a perfectly enjoyable tale.

Rating: 08/10.