Døden på Oslo S

..unless you think bad child-actors are hilarious, like I do. Especially Norwegian ones. Set in Oslo, the story is about two teenagers trying to solve a crime-mystery concerning under-aged prostitutes. This movie never gets suspenseful, though, although it tries. I think this is the first of three "Pelle og Proffen" movies, which are all based on Ingvar Ambjørnsens books about two crime-solving teenagers.

Actor Bjørn Sundquist does a somewhat memorable performance, and there are many memorable quotes, at least if you understand Norwegian. Has become a bit of a cult-movie over the years, because of unintentionally funny dialouge and some poor extras and supporting roles, like the character "Filla". The main characters Pelle and "Proffen" both suffer from bad acting, and I don't think the actors ever starred in anything memorable again.

The social drama follows in the footsteps of Lasse & Geir, only without the 1976 cult movie's idiosyncrasy and angle; the crime story draws inspiration from Christiane F or even Hard asfalt, but lacks tension and has an aura of puerility about it. Time has not been to kind to this Norwegian semi-classic, which was a considerable box-office success back in 1990 and won the Amanda Award for Best Children's or Youth Film in 1991. Seen today, it's hard to find exactly what merited that, except perhaps the success of the Ingvar Ambjørnsen novel it was adapted from, or the film's undoubtedly good intentions. Young Håvard Bakke gives the best among a host of otherwise rather affected performances. The actors get little help form the relatively inexperienced director Eva Isaksen, who seems to have been a little out of her depth with both the dramatic material as well as the action sequences towards the end. Followed by two sequels: Giftige løgner (1992), and De blå ulvene (1993), both helmed by different directors.

Much has been said of the dialogue, and this films cult status. It is a 1990 film version of a 1988 book, and much of the dialogue is straight from the book. It is meant to capture the 1980s sociolects, and is comically dated today, though reasonably accurate in its depiction.

Technically the film is quite good, the city shots of Oslo, with moving camera and on location scenes are quite good. The director makes the most of her film debut, and Døden på Oslo S far exceeds its two sequels. Having 15 year olds playing 15 year olds, is an artistic choice, that gives it a genuine feel.

Decent film.

I first saw the movie when I was nine, and loved it right away. But even though I was quite young the first time I saw it, even when I see it now, I think it's still great. (I'm 24) This year it will finally be released on DVD, a moment've been waiting for for a long time, since my VHS version is a bit tired.

The movie offers a good soundtrack, and a marvelous picture of Oslo, the Norwegian capital. It also shows the darker sides of being a kid in the city, with drugs and prostitution.

See this movie, and judge for yourselves, I give it a perfect ten! Andreas.