Headhunter

Suitably intriguing story about cold fish Martin, star freelance headhunter, getting embroiled in risky business with troubled magnate N.F. Sieger and family.

Martin has family trouble of his own, his son being seriously ill. As everybody knows, families in this type of movie, exist only as leverage.

The photography is as cold as an industrialist heart. Dark, dismay and desolate, with sparks of redemption.

It's watchable in the original Danish with subtitles, since the dialogue is as sparse as luscious vegetation in Denmark during winter.

Martin Vinge is an accomplished recruiter of high-profile business talent, a man who thrives on corporate cut and thrust. Less successful as the estranged father of a seriously ill son, and carrying regret from his time as an investigative journalist and an incident involving a politician, he faces his biggest test yet when embroiled in the dynastic politics of a large shipping company.

Writer/director Rumie Hammerich invests this tale with Shakespearean gravitas. with Martin ostensibly in the employ of Lear-like elder Sieger, but menaced by his Iago-esque son Daniel. The chrome and steel surfaces of the offices shine and the Ikea domestic interiors are all hard edges, giving the film a David Fincher look while also heightening the cold, amoral shenanigans of the players. Martin's weak point is his son, and he plays a precarious balancing game in selling out to get his son the private medical care he needs, while simultaneously going after the truth of the story that his deep moral core compels him to uncover.

Lars Mikkelsen as Martin Vinge is brooding and conflicted. His one connection is journalist Nina (Charlotte Munck), unhappily married, compromised and flawed, as if to say Martin could only be attracted to a female version of himself. Except she is a decent parent. Mikkelsen's performance is perfect, always keeping things just below the surface so that we go along with Martin on his journey without ever truly getting to know why he embraces the contradictions of his undertaking so fully. There are some satisfying twists along the way, and moments of droll humour. Martin entering a room where only the women remain, and their synchronized pointing to the elevator, is a visual delight. In fact, the visual sheen of the whole film is rapturous, most reminiscent of Fincher's The Game.

This is a high quality thriller that exhibits judicious economy and steady pacing. It is the film Michael Clayton wanted to be. Mature, thoughtful filmmaking with a woody Scandinavian scent.

Normally I don't really go for this kind of movies but I'm glad I gave it a shot. The story start a little slow but then the tension builds up and before you know you're completely into the story. I don't really like multinational businesses and their lobbying and this movie is a good example of it. With money you get power and with power you can do whatever you want and get away with it. The actors are all good, the filming is also good.this movie proves that Danish can also produce a good thriller without too much costs. You can't go wrong with this one if you like business-thrillers. I probably only will watch it once in my life but I'm glad I did it.

This is a film which deserves a much bigger audience, and once again I'm delighted I have used time on a great Danish thriller, and the second headhunter-thriller from Scandinavia, even called almost the same, the Norwegian "Headhuinters". Both are great, but very different.

Martin Winge is a good headhunter; though a lonely guy and with true integrity. His weakest point is a very sick son, he'll do anything for. When he is contacted to find a new boss to the largest Danish company, because the son who is to inherit isn't suited for the job, the run is on.

The Danish critics have all been giving this film great approval, and many says it's the best since the great "Kongekabale". I agree. This is a kind of film I really enjoy! Not perfect, but still not far from it! The director Rumle Hammerich is co-writer, and has done a fabulous job.

The actors are doing great, the plot and manuscript functions, and so does all the technical stuff. Lars Mikkelsen is fabulous, and so is Flmming Enevold and the rest. This is the kind of films which Hollywood love to remake. I won't be surprised when I see this as a Hollywood outing.

One of the best business thrillers I've seen! I get so happy when I stumble upon good films like this one. Pick it up!!!

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