Pusher II: Mãos de Sangue

'Pusher II (2004)' follows Mads Mikkelsen as Tonny, a side-character from Pusher '(1996)', as he once again exits prison and tries to earn his father's respect by stealing cars for his dodgy business. As he begins to adjust back to non-incarcerated life, he comes to discover that he himself may have a son. The film can be easily watched without having seen its predecessor, despite the fact that it features a couple of the same characters and makes one or two references to that prior title's plot. It's quite a bit different from that movie, too. It isn't an exercise in ratcheting tension and increasing desperation, rather it's a relatively introspective drama about fatherhood and, more specifically, the central character's relationship to it. He strives for a connection with his cold and uncaring dad, while struggling to reconcile his own responsibility to the child he may or may not have fathered. Ultimately, it's about breaking the cycle of apathy that has trapped the fairly unintelligent protagonist in a world of small-time crime, emotional (and physical) impotence and an absence of love. Of course, the flick still deals with bad men who do bad things (particularly to women) and get paid for it, but there's an aspect of tenderness - however subtle or, even, intangible it may be - that makes this story much more affecting than it otherwise would be. As such, it's an experience that will stay with you for longer than 'Pusher (1996)' and, for my money, that makes it better. The movie isn't always especially compelling, primarily because its pacing drags a little here and there, but it's always entertaining enough to keep you engaged. It's also varied in terms of tone, often going from dark comedy to poignant tragedy and back again, which keeps you on your toes and prevents any significant boredom. The picture feels cohesive overall, with a solid understanding of its themes and the patience required to really hammer home its emotional elements. Even though it may seem like a brash crime saga on the surface, it's actually a rather considered art film that sneakily delivers a surprisingly solid character study. Mads Mikkelsen is superb in the starring role, subtly portraying a litany of emotions often without even saying a word. Overall, this is a considered and affecting picture that makes you care about its protagonist despite his sometimes brutish nature.

Nicolas Winding Refn's Pusher 1-3 is my favorite trilogy of danish film history. Pusher II (2004) is the best part of it. I have been a follower of Refn's work ever-since I saw his directional debut Pusher (1996) the first time. It had a great dynamic, it was brutally honest and it had a documentary-style (hand-held camera, great method-acting etc.) that gave it an authentic feeling.

The story-line: Small-time gangster Tonny (Mads Mikkelsen) is released from prison, but quickly returns to the criminal underworld and gets hired by his father "Smeden" (Leif Sylvester): a big-time gangster highly respected in the underworld. But Tonny has a hard time earning his father's respect, and on top of that, he discovers that Charlotte (Anne Sørensen): a girl he once had sex with, has given birth to his child. Tonny has a hard time making the right decisions, and one day he agrees to help his friend Kusse-Kurt (Kurt Nielsen) purchase heroin worth of 80.000 danish kroner from big-time pusher Milo (Zlatko Buric), but since they are high off cocaine and paranoid they accidentally throw the heroin in the toilet, as they think a police-man enters the room. Now they have a big problem. They have to get 80.000 kroner very quickly...

In 2004 Nicolas Winding Refn almost went bankrupt, because his previous film Fear X (2002) which was shot on a big-budget in Canada, did horribly in the theaters and at box-office. Refn knew that a sequel for Pusher would do very well (Pusher 1 was the most engrossing debut film ever of Denmark) and the universe of the film had lots of artistic possibilities - therefore he decided on making it a trilogy. And Refn very much proofed that it is possible to make artistically interesting films out of rather commercial interests.

It could be argued that Pusher 1 glamorized the gangster/drug underworld at times. This is NOT the case in Pusher II. Although Pusher 1 did show the decay of a cold man in a cold milieu, we never really got into his feelings. In Pusher II we get to feel the pain and coldness (even when Tonny himself doesn't). Pusher II is a docu-drama based on realism (like Pusher 1), and only three characters are real actors. The rest of the cast consists of people off the street, and this very much adds to its authenticity. They do a great job! The second half of the film has a few very beautiful artistic scenes (almost dream-like) that almost pauses the film and gives its audience time for reflecting. In the scenes we see very dominant red colors and the music is almost ambient-like. A great idea that works very well - even in such a realistic film.

Mads Mikkelsen, Leif Sylvester and Zlatko Buric do terrific jobs. They are (as usual) very professional and passionate actors. But the real surprise is the untrained street-actors. They add SO much to the realism and rawness of the film. Pusher II is shot on DV-camera with a hand-held style, but it's far from Dogme. Many scenes look terrific, and the playing with distinctive colors red and green works well. I also have to give credit to Peterpeter's great rock/80's synthesizer soundtrack. It really under-builds the scenes in a scary way.

I highly recommend Pusher II (and the rest of the trilogy) to everyone! A perfect example of an artistic film that actually works for all audiences! 9/10

I have learned that people criticize PusherII for not having the same high pace as the first pusher movie did. It is important not to expect more of the same if you have chosen to watch pusherII. The first pusher movie concentrates on, and describes the drug dealer Frank. Pusher II, follows Franks former partner Tonny. He's the one being beaten by Frank with a baseball bat in pusher. Tonny and Frank are to very different personalities and the story being told in PII is very different from the story in the first Pusher so it is impossible to recreate the same pace and feeling. Luckily Nicholas Winding Refn is'nt trying to repeat history, he has made a whole new movie, which is entirely it's "own". PusherII is a fascinating and frightening story of Tonny the lowlife and his slow climb towards a meaningful life. PusherII equals the first Pusher.

After Refn made an unsuccessful English-language debut with 2003's "Fear X," he returned to Denmark to shoot parts two and three of "The Pusher Trilogy." But the new films aren't a continuation, and the layoff didn't dull Refn's ability to tell an engaging crime story. In "Pusher 2: With Blood On My Hands," the film explores a drug-dealer's former sidekick as he deals with new challenges in the world of crime, drugs, and becoming a father.

Frank's ex-sidekick from the first film, Tonny, wonderfully played by Mads Mikkelsen is fresh out of prison. Tonny is eager to prove his worth as earner and son to his crime boss father (Leif Sylvester Petersen), known as the Duke. Routinely called a loser by everyone he knows -- he practically invites abuse by sporting a tattooed "respect" on the back of his bald head. Tonny also tries to ingratiate himself with his recalcitrant father (Leif Sylvester Petersen), who can hardly trust him with anything. The back-breaking straw is the appearance of a baby that Tonny's old non-girlfriend (Anne Sorensen) claims is his. The bitterness and betrayal mounts as Tonny begins to wonder if he should rewrite his life, and the fate of the neglected infant.

At its core, the film about is about broken families and serves as a stark reminder of the lasting effects on our actions can have on future generations. Tonny's entire life has been spent on only one thing: trying to gain the approval of his father. And not only that he learns on his release that he is very likely the father of a baby boy, one so neglected by his junkie mother that he hasn't even been given a name yet. Refn is painting a bleak picture of a child without a chance. He is in complete control behind the camera, but this film belongs purely and simply to Mikkelsen. He is absolutely stunning, flawlessly embodying the insecurities and desire that drives Tonny. Against all odds, Tonny becomes a sympathetic hero in an increasingly tragic tale. It's not hard to spot the need that drives his self-destructive behavior: it's practically written all over his face - or at least the back of his head.

Pusher II follows Tony after he is released from prison. Everyone seems to think he is a retarded bum. As the movie develops, it starts to turn out that Tony is much more than that. Tony evolves into an anti-hero, and you definitely get sucked into his character.

Pusher II is anything but a follow-up to Pusher I. As said in previous reviews, it's a film 'on it's own'. Frank from Pusher I is only mentioned briefly. A small appearance of Milo from Pusher I is also in place.

This is a great film with a lot of depth in the Tony character. It's flawlessly acted and the cinematography is gritty, just right for this kind of movie.

If you liked Pusher I, you'll like Pusher II. Pusher 3 is also coming shortly....