Dirch

I am also a Dane and I really liked it, especially Kaas performance. I could really see Dirch in him. He portrayed the external pressures from managers, co-workers, family and friends beautifully, but his internal pressures really shined. Like a dog chasing his tail, never reaching and running faster and faster, without knowing why.

And I loved most what Dirch did. Cant really say that he was vulgar as such. They included (for me) the most important part Hoppegyngen, on youtube.

Its not a perfect movie, but all in all well worth the time and money to go see it. I would see it again.

Few knew him abroad, Dirch Passer. But he's a legend in Denmark. He died at 54.

We follow his stage life and maybe it's difficult for a foreigner to understand his fame, because the texts he performed weren't really funny, but rather vulgar. But Passer was loved, not understanding why.

The main scene, which is also very touching, is when he performs "Mice and Men" and the audience laughs. Passer starts to cry for real, which makes the audience laugh even more. That's the curse of the comedian.

He worked and also drank himself to death. But it's more a film about the conditions of Passer, not the conditions of those who are expected and believed to be funny.

A good film with wonderful performance by the actors. I could see the person Dirch through the actor Nikolaj Lie Kaas. I had some problems by placing all the characters in the film. But it might be because of my lack of knowledge. The film is giving a great picture of what it really takes to devote your life to entertainment. What the cost could be in your private life. It also gives you insight in that amazing friendship between Dirch and Kjeld. I felt that i was brought back to the 60's and 70's. After seeing the film I feel that i have a better insight in Dirchs private life and not only the funny side that we all remember him for.

This is the film, about the tragic life off stage, of one of Denmarks biggest actors ever. We start off in this film, after Dirch has gotten famous, this adds to the films concept by portraying the tragic side of the man, instead of showing us his life. There are many actors, through out the 50's, 60' and 70's who worked with Dirch, who we will only see briefly in this film, because this is not about them, but about Dirch. For a person who doesn't know much about the danish actors, all these people will look merely like extras, but for those who knows the roles, the films and the roles that Dirch has played, most of these people will give you the "ah he/she is..." thought fairly quick.

Watching this film, my biggest concern was the fear of it being a documentary, or it showing loads of clips of what Dirch did, instead of the actors, this is NOT the case, no clips, no documentary and nobody telling us a story about the man. Instead the film shows us the story, while still managing to put in some funny numbers that Dirch was involved in while alive.

The thing that really struck me, as a viewer, was the way the film shows the issues that Dirch dealt with, and really portrays how he was easy to sway in a given direction, and how important Kjeld Petersen was to his life.

A must see, if you are a fan of Dirch Passer, like danish films, ever wanted to see the backside of the lifestyle of the rich and famous, or just want a great story, that gives you everything from laughs to tears.

I went to see the Danish movie Dirch last night having heard mixed reviews ahead of my visit.

As the movie passed, it sort of 'grew' into this fascinating insight story about a great but very shy and insecure comedian who lived his life upon the expectations of others. He was simply unable to say 'No'. His insecurity incessantly made him chase the applause of the audience and his surroundings, and his shyness prevented him from gaining the security and support of close relationships.

All this affected his family life, his work, the friendship with his best friend and fellow comedian Kjeld and - not least - the quality of his all too short life.

A strong and sad but also beautiful movie with absolutely amazing performances by most actors but especially Nikolaj Lie Kaas in the role as Dirch!