Dänische Delikatessen

OK, so I'm not usually one that runs out and rents foreign movies...especially foreign dark comedies. I think I can count on one hand the number of films that I found genuinely hilarious from beginning to end. This movie will be added to the short list. Even dark comedies right out of Hollywood sometimes turn me off because they require an incredibly dry sense of humor. But this one had my eyes welling up with tears. My sides hurt. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. This movie was recommended by my mother and I don't think I would have even dreamed of watching it had she not raved about it. Don't be afraid of having to read during your movie - you'll miss out on a hilariously well-acted flick.

'Taste this marinade' 'No' 'Smell the marinade' 'I smoke 20 joints a day. I wouldn't smell my hair if it was on fire'

This is the kind of humour you are up against with this movie and I love it. The Green Butchers is a wry, dark but well executed movie that doesn't act like a brash, puke 'em up, farty yank movie would with the same subject matter. Oh no sir. None of that old rubbish here. Scandinavia wins again and this time it's a Danish offering. Two butchers work for a man who is less than impressed by their efforts so they go it alone and open their own butchers shop to escape his scathing criticisms and earn some self respect. The opening doesn't go well. Then there is an accident. Then there is a modicum of success. Then there is a lot of success, But, because of this there has to be another accident to keep up with supply and demand. People disappear. But the meat is so good. Do you see where I'm going with this.? Not one spoiler will there be in this review. I gave this movie 9/10. Why not the full 10? I hear you ask. Nothing is perfect in this world that's why. But The Green Butchers comes mighty close in my humble opinion. Get it people and enjoy. Oh by the way CANNIBLISM is a part of this movie. Even if it is by default. =-)

With Green Butchers (aka: De Grønne Slagtere) we are in the territory previously marked out by Sweeney Todd, Eating Raoul, Delicatessen and the like: art house cannibalism. The peculiar flavour of writer-director Anders Thomas Jensen's film is partly explained by this choice of subject, as well as his involvement in the Dogme film movement, having contributed scripts for Mifune (1999), The King is Alive (2000), as well as Open Hearts (2002). The Dogme movement has made a virtue of making films to a strictly naturalistic series of rules, the severity of which, whether entirely serious or not, was intended to "force the truth out of characters and settings." Green Butchers is not a Dogme film, but some of its characteristics owe themselves to an artistic manifesto which instructed its adherents to make films by all means available, even "at the cost of good taste" if necessary.

It's Jensen's second feature film after the well-received Flickering Lights (aka: Blinkende Lygter, 2000 - a film which also starred Mikkelsen and Kaas), another comedy-drama. Jensen's sly, dry humour is much in evidence here, too, as we follow the business of his two misfit butchers, 'Sweaty' Svend and pot smoking Bjarne, into the path of making meals out of unwanted humans. As critics have observed, this is a film with two intertwined threads, with much overt, and grisly, dark comedy revolving around Sven, a man who "has never been loved." He's apparently unable to show anyone the inside of his freezer without adding them to the chilled cabinet for the customers next morning, prepared as his speciality dish 'Chicky Wicky'. Bjarne's story brings to the narrative more in the way of pathos and sweetness as, while struggling with the predations of his increasingly erratic partner in butchery, he also has to come to terms with the sudden revival of his brain damaged twin brother, as well as burgeoning relationship with the slightly naïve Astrid.

Playing both Bjarne and twin Eigil, Nikolaj Lie Kaas is remarkable in giving entirely separate performances throughout, so much so that I was going to make him a name to watch, but a quick look at his filmography reveals that he has already made 28 (including one related to his portrayal here, the notorious Dogme film Idiots of 1998) of which no fewer than 20 will have appeared in the last five years! The Walkenesque Mikkelsen, who is perhaps most familiar to British and American viewers as Tristan in the recent version of King Arthur, is also memorable, offering up Svend's characteristic, sweaty, culpability whilst sporting an unnaturally high, damp forehead (an on-screen effect gained, we learn, by a watering unit ingeniously devised by the special effects department).

In the interviews which accompany the film on disc, Jensen mentions how keen he was to "make something better than farce" out of his subject matter and, if it has a fault, it is that his film occasional teeters too far in the opposite direction, refusing some obvious opportunities to show the comedy of panic or grim humour. Instead, Dogme's metier means that Green Butchers unfolds slowly, with more natural pauses and silences, and an unforced lunacy all of its own. Such deadpan absurdity frequently pays dividends (one especially relishes Svend's quiet words to the newly returned Eigel, soft toy under his arm, that he should "point the giraffe somewhere else, so that we can talk calmly again") although there have been complaints from some that a sharper edge to the bloody proceedings, other than those demonstrated by Bjarne and Svend's knives, would have been welcome. To be sure, some cannibalistic movies, such as Romero's Dawn Of The Dead bring an apt comment on consumerism. Instead Jensen's film relates slaughter back to interior matters such as Svend's compulsive, murderous need to be loved and successful - a result he eventually achieves through his marinade - or even by placing the act of butchery in a entirely different context outside of society altogether. For instance the comment by Holger, famous for his deer sausages, that "It's mythological to kill an animal and then mock it by sticking it in its own intestine." Outraged by the role that nature played in provoking the death of his parents, Bjarne sees his work as specifically an act of revenge on animals, not people, a logic that places him apart from such characters as Sweeney Todd. While the eager consumers of Chicky Wickys queue up outside the shop eager for their next portion, obvious satire is played down. In interview, the cast and writer see the film's focus elsewhere, on "coming to terms with one's fate," or learning to live at peace with oneself.

Of course interior states are always subjective rather than objective. And if the Dogme creed values strict naturalism, then Green Butchers is a film which, although related to the movement by eschewing overt dramatics, it never the less inhabits a separate, almost fantasy world of its own - another point acknowledged on the DVD's accompanying interviews. It's a place not unaopposed to the fertile and dark imaginations of Caro and Jeunet (to whose successful Delicatessen it has sometimes been compared) if without their Gallic flamboyance, and whose odd elements gradually fit into a weird whole. Indeed the last scene of the film makes the point succinctly, drawing together the principal characters in a moment that is both playful, absurd and unifying at the same time. Given the unique nature of Green Butchers (how often does one see a Danish cannibalism movie?) as well as uniformly excellent performances, it can be recommended.

Not entirely sure how I stumbled upon this movie, but I'm so glad I did. Initially, we were put off by the fact that it was subtitled, but even my dyslexic brother who hates to read (especially at the weekend) enjoyed this film. I found the script fantastic and the way it was delivered in such a dead-pan manner only added to the puddles of pee on my sofa. Not entirely sure whether it's quite so funny to the native Danish as the comedy seems to be enhanced by the tonelessness of the subtitles and the ambiguity of the translation. I haven't watched many Danish films (or any for that matter), but judging by this film I'm guessing they're not constrained by the same political correctness as elsewhere (gawd bless 'em) making the character of Eigel a breath of fresh air, because let's face it special needs are funny. There are so many great one-liners in this film it puts American sitcoms to shame.

Svend and Bjarne are friends and butchers in a small village in Denmark. Eccentric characters both, they grow irritated with the tactics of their smarmy boss, Holger, deciding to establish their own meat emporium. On opening day, a freak accident involving an electrician leads to the birth of Svend's new delicacy, 'Chickie-Wickies.' The mysterious marinaded meat proves immensely popular, and the business thrives. However, the machinations of their former employer- as well as the arrival of Bjarne's twin brother Eigil- complicates matters, threatening to shutter the shop forevermore, in Anders Thomas Jensen's 'The Green Butchers.'

A raucous black comedy grounded in realism, 'The Green Butchers' is original, clever and wildly enjoyable. Jensen's second feature film, the story is unpredictable and darkly humorous, featuring much sharp dialogue and witty banter. Jensen's characters are majoritively finely drawn and believable, with Svend and Bjarne being especially well-rounded. Admittedly, some of the supporting ones dwell in the realm of caricature, most notably the cartoonishly fiendish Holger and Bjarne's brother Eigil. On the whole though, the narrative is bursting at the seams with originality and dark humor which will leave one amused; if not oft convulsed with laughter.

The film features cinematography from Sebastian Blenkov, whose work is striking and naturalistic. Blenkov and Jensen have worked together numerous times, and the results of their collaborations are always visually interesting. The utilization of lighting and color in 'The Green Butchers' is especially notable and effective, lending to the film an aura of unreality despite the grounded nature of Blenkov's approach. In conjunction with Mia Stensgaard's arresting production design and Jacob Wirth Carlsen's detailed set decoration, Blenkov's visuals have impact that will be felt long after the credits have rolled.

Another frequent collaborator of Jensen, editor Anders Villadsen's work on 'The Green Butchers' is consummate and swift. Running at a little over an hour and a half, the film has a steady pace that doesn't falter or drag, even in its' quieter moments- a testament to Villadsen's impressive efforts. Additionally, Jeppe Kaas's soundtrack is atmospheric, making productive use of pieces by Wagner and Kai Normann Andersen, among others. Kaas's original score is muted and melodic, giving the film supplementary power and tone. Also of note is Malin Birch-Jensen, Morten Jacobsen and Charlotte Laustsen's work involving makeup (and relative effects), which is of a particularly high quality.

'The Green Butchers' stars Mads Mikkelsen as Svend and Nikolaj Lie Kaas as Bjarne and his brother Eigil, respectively; and each turn in a strong performance. Both Mikkelsen and Lie Kass have appeared in every one of Jensen's feature length directorial efforts, and the three obviously have a great working relationship; as their collaborations always make for worthwhile viewing. Here, Lie Kaas shows off his range, both as a straight man- Bjarne- and as a comedic foil- Eigil- impressing with his composure and depth. In fact, one might have assumed that it was two actors playing the roles and not just Lie Kass; so different does he make the twins from one another.

One of the most versatile actors of his generation, Mikkelsen once again impresses here as the neurotic, slightly seedy and thoroughly strange Svend. He is an actor without pretension and of great sagacity and ability, one who transforms himself completely for roles, and always convinces. In 'The Green Butchers' he plays the arrogant but introverted character expertly, coming across as utterly believable, somewhat pitiful and oddly sympathetic. It is a role few could pull off as effortlessly as Mikkelsen; nor could many make it as affecting or as entertaining.

In short, Anders Thomas Jensen's 'The Green Butchers' is a fine, funny and dark comedy that has a lot to offer viewers. Boasting a sharp screenplay full of witty, amusing dialogue and offbeat sequences, the film rockets along at a steady pace, providing many laughs along the way. Featuring two terrific central performances from Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas, strong visuals from Sebastian Blenkov and an emotive Jeppe Kaas score; 'The Green Butchers' is a marvelous movie about mystery meats, murders and marinades that will leave viewers hungry for more.