Grev Axel

Søren Fauli´s foray into feature length film has been highly anticipated, following his successful short films since his debut in 1993 with cult favorite "De skrigende halse". Sadly, "Grev Axel" doesn´t quite live up to expectations. Set somewhere in the 18th century, con artist/actor Axel assumes the identity of Count Richard, who is about to marry spinster Leonora Amalie, who has been waiting his arrival for 15 years in a run-down manor. A wonderful performance by Frödin as the curiously anachronistic con man sadly fails to save the film, which despite a well-developed story line relies too heavy on fart jokes and endless mugging and screaming by its supporting characters, especially the peasants and the hot-headed rural dean (played by Henning Jensen, who replaced Henning Moritzen following an unfortunate accident on the initial days of shooting). Furthermore, when the real Count Richard (Jens Arentzen) appears, the film turns deadly serious and mean-spirited, clashing loudly with the tone of the film, which tries hard to be Monty Python, but ends up looking more like an episode of Benny Hill.

Whomever can not appreciate the sarcasm, irony and crazy humour of this film ... well, turn off the television. The rest of us, who knows Søren Fauli's way of making comedy, will undoubtedly enjoy this film from start to finish.

The way it makes fun about the feudal society, the tyranny of the church and the way peasants were abused, is just wonderful. In fact, there's a joke waiting for you around every corner. Right in the middle of it all is Count Axel with his very modern language (including the curse-words :-). When the jokes go away, the mere words that Count Axel sings over and over again are hilarious! Add to this the plethora of quality actors that appear in this film, and you have a great piece of work. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I watch this film regularly when I need a good laugh.

9/10 for this gem!