The Candidate

Danish crime thriller + Nikolaj Lie Kaas provides a must-see to all them fond of consistent dramatic creations, where atmosphere is gloomy and solutions are coming without constant shootings and "witty" remarks. But as the level and quantity are high, particularly within the last decade, one starts to select and classify more, not just enjoying the course of events and distinct performances.

Here, even the small roles and filled by splendid actors (Tuva Novotny, David Dencik, Kim Bodnia) and there are lots of suspense twists and turns, but too many times, however, at the expense of credibility and logic. Nevertheless, nothing becomes really ridiculous or wtf!, and Lie Kaas' character is distinct and versatile again. So, if you like Scandinavian thrillers, you are certainly recommended to watch Kandidaten as well.

A defence lawyer is bumped off in a road accident because he could not get an acquittal for his powerfully connected client charged of murder. One year later the accident continues to haunt his son who is also a lawyer and he keeps visiting the spot regularly. Things inexplicably take a strange turn when a honey trap is laid out for him and the entire bizarre incident is captured on film with a view to blackmail. The ease with which he agrees to pay off is baffling. The story now hurtles forward at a frenzied pace in a series of incidents that grow more and more implausible. But you don't want to complain because the adrenaline inside you is cruising nicely thanks to some tight camera work aided by moody lighting and pumped up music. There is a more than fair chance that you would be able to work out the identity of the real culprit so when the denouement comes it won't catch you entirely by surprise.

But as you walk out of the film you start wondering at the stupidity of the killer. What was the need for him to give his game away by starting the blackmail process in the first instance? An otherwise extremely well made film suddenly falls flat on its face. You are angry at having your credulity stretched and intelligence insulted by a story without foundation.

Quite typical Scandinavian thriller in that everybody seemingly has demons, is grumpy or drinks too much plus the colours are bleak.

Nevertheless the story holds your attention and though the main character behaves sometimes rather curiously the twists are surprising and the end worthwhile. It would benefit from cutting maybe 10 minutes.

If you like films like the adaptations of the Adler-Olsen series you will like this one.

This film is a great testament to the capabilities of the incredible danish cinema. The acting is utilized to its fullest and the script is very clever and well-written.

It is a very beautifully put together film and the cinematography and cutting and editing flows splendidly. You can truly tell that a true auteur is behind it, and it takes some unconventional paths as acustomed to european cinema.

Overall, truly an incredible piece of art that is recommended for any lover of film. It's truly a masterpiece in every sense of the word that should be experienced for yourself. Truly spectacular!

The successful defence lawyer Johan is obsessed with getting back on the men that he thinks killed his father, which also was a lawyer, which lost a case he should have won, just before he was driven off the road. He tries to get his father's old job, which we really don't understand why. He's not getting this job, because the seniors in the company are against it. Why is later revealed.

The plot takes off nicely, and you're well into the film when you think it's exciting and well written, when the first irritating stupidity puts you a bit baffled. Johan acts not reasonable several times, like when talking to his girlfriend, choosing to follow a friend, out in the woods, when meeting a convict and when getting answers. A pity, because the plot is good! And without these it could be excellent.

It seems our protagonist Johan has big problems in communicating. This is only understandable when talking to his girlfriend, because we've seen that they really don't communicate. Is it possible to be a top lawyer without being able to communicate better!? Not in my book... And then he's not acting rationally. This makes it difficult to really like him. He's not not likable. And all in all the film has in a way a strange and unnatural dialog.

If this is the manuscript, or the direction, I don't know. But Arcel has later proved to be an excellent writer in later films and when directing them himself. And then he is really too well under surveillance. And when he understands, he does nothing about it. Over and over he acts stupid. It's OK being afraid, but he does always react like he's not afraid just afterwards. And then he proves to be a master shooter when getting hands on a gun!

The film is kept in dark and bleak colors, making it realistic and "lawyerish". Very Scandinavian crime-like. The actors are the best, but they have too little to act upon. And in the end they realize this, and starts acting bad. The last minutes are unbearable to watch.

Everything here could have been great, but it isn't. And twist and turns should make it exciting as can be. You'll only enjoy this if you don't expect too much. I did, due to knowing Danish film was at it's very best some years earlier. Instead, pick up "Headhunters" which is really built the same way, but is everything this film isn't. This tries to be exciting, but is just better avoided.