Lone Scherfig's comedy about a small town and it's problem with the small things. The town square is under total reconstruction, when a man runs across town totally naked a night, only carrying a newspaper as an Olympic torch, showing the crown jewels. The town's response is to establish a crisis phone number, called the "The silent ear". obviously this crisis phone adds to new problems. We meet the artist Lindy Steen, which is bigger than his home town, and the mad and angry villager and a lot of people which problems they start to find center around the naked running man. Who is running around naked at night, and why does this affect the town life?
It's got the same thing as other Danish movies from the last years. It draws you in. The film holds a fun and naive tone all way through. It's easy to recognize life in a small town, though caricatured heavily, it's a good comical opportunity to make a fun film of. Maybe this would have made even better as a TV-series, where we could get to know the persons better.
I enjoyed the film, with it's subtle humor, which is a form I enjoy more than when the crazy elements take over. In a couple of moments I thought "Twin Peaks" at it's most charming moments at the local sheriffs office. Kudos to the religious couple, the up right naive blonde girl Mette-Inge and Jesper, the well meaning owner of a shop wanting to take local responsibility, which had to Move into the local students dormitory. The best is perhaps the angry man, which has troubles with everything, but is everywhere.
All in all well acted out, with nicely done direction and film handwork. Hilarious moments are the religious parents. I think this is the film by Scherfig I've enjoyed the most, though I haven't yet seen her presumably best "An education" yet.
Recommended if you like a subtle comedy like this, like the ones of the Coen-brothers or Bent Hamer which I've enjoyed immensely, or like Hans Petter Moland's "A somewhat gentle man". Stupid, yes, the more the film progresses, but still very enjoyable!
