Kapgang

Not a fan of WHATEVER THIS WAS. Kind of explicit and just overal not what i wanted to see, lol. The plot line was KIND OF interesting, but also kind of odd. Not saying it is a bad movie, I just didn't like it. I translated this thing to my English friends who don't speak Danish, we just laughed the whole time.

This was a really good movie. The performances were all around excellent but the young actor who plays Martin was absolutely amazing. The scene at his mother's burial would be Oscar worthy if this were an American film. But it is more than that very emotional and heartbreaking scene that makes this performance so fantastic. This actor creates a strong character of a young boy who deals with his mother's death better than his father and brother. He is the strong one in the family, the one who takes control of the situation and makes things happen, despite being the youngest. There are some frank sexual situations but that is not the main thrust of the film. It really is about the strength of this youngster in a difficult situation. With the wrong actor as Martin this film would not have worked. But they found a brilliant young actor who gives one of the best portrayals of a young adolescent ever filmed. Highly recommended.

Kapgang (Speed Walking) is outstandingly inspiring and highly relatable film. It tells the story of an athletic boy tormented by his mother's demise, while struggling with his own hormonal and emotional changes. It's devilishly realistic that pinch a bit of truth on some of its awkward scenes. There were no dull moments, each scene speak for its own volume.

Superbly done film that holds no reservation for its daring moments. Pretty much everyone can relate to its diverse characters especially the young actors who nailed their roles. Villads Boye (Martin) and Frederik Winther Ramussen (Kim) both stole the show and it's okay. Jens Malthe Naesby as the older brother embodies the grieving petulant mama's boy, while being cool in his Ray-Bans. Each sub roles - Danish 1970's neighborhood - are overwhelmingly warm and pitched-perfectly acted. It's envious and makes you wanna live there.

This movie articulately embraced the subtle allegory of Racewalking or Speed Walking competition on how we live our lives; to not run, just walk VERY fast. It's a funny view but it's the trick of winning the game (life). This movie potently implies various lessons about the virtue of winning, the bittersweet of losing, and the gripping sensation of both triumph and underachieving whether in life or in a competition. Which begs the question; is life a race? is life a competition? is life like Speed Walking? Should you run? Should you walk? Or it's about overcoming failure and winning it over?

The movie contrasted the life of a Speed Walking champion (Martin) whose an actual loser in his own life, without making the film circle around sports. Entailing Martin's real life battles, as loser himself who understand forms of defeat like sadness, jealous, grief, insecurities, disappointments, and emotional traumas.

The final race at the end of the movie is a tacit knowledge that, winners are those who understand the losers and that the only time we become true champion of ourselves is when we learn to defeat the weight of our ordeals. That the only trophy we need is those of our own happiness.

9/10. This movie is a must watch even for heterosexuals. It's filled with deep emotions and impeccably funny scenes that allures you to the characters and tag along with the story.

What a great movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It deals with so many issues in its short running time, and while it doesn't offer any solutions, it does make you think. That's a good thing. Well acted by all involved, especially the younger actors, who do not shy away from some very difficult scenes. The story is entertaining and engrossing.

True, the events go back into the 1970ies, but the film is new, seems realistic, and both the characters and performances are really something. Apart from Villads Bøye as Martin, who is really wow!, the film features - even in tiny roles - many excellent Danish actors and actresses known internationally, e.g. Sidse Babett Knudsen, Pilou Asbæk, David Dencik... The main background of the events is sad, but the Danes living in a small town somehow cope with it in their own, sometimes crazy manner, with fresh sexual liberation whiff in and around their lives. In spite of cruel world and sometimes odd ideas, there is still warmness around, and life goes on with its different angles - all this giftedly directed and performed.

A good stuff, really. I can hardly imagine such a film made and screened e.g. in the USA...