Call Girl

Here's something different. Interesting and intriguing drama told from fact, about some juvie hotties who were used for the sexual pleasure older perverts of high ranking society, some politicians, etc, one finding himself in a corner. Some of them are so repellent as are some of the the older sex workers, you wouldn't touch with a nine foot pole. Callgirl indeed has some strong moments, ones of pure intensity as it builds to a climax of unexpected revolutions, of revolving doors for the characters, where the baddies get away with it, and our two young teens are back in the squalor. Some of the scenes involving girls looking particularly young, 14-15, undressing and being fondled, I'm amazed the filmmaker got away with it. But nonetheless, this is an engrossing film, one of those that become more involving the further it progresses. The film recounts all the hours of phone tapping, bugging the operators and clientele of this racket, with pretty much the same hopeless result as what happened in Traffic. This is one of the best film I've seen in ages, with a story that needs to be told in a film that needs to be seen.

A lifeless screenplay makes this ambitious film-project to wreck completely. A true story with all the right ingredients. Olof Palme, the minister of justice Lennart Geijer, Jane Fonda, sex with minors... A major political scandal, swept under the thick Swedish democratic rug. Storytelling turned into a tepid recitation of facts and participants. Very close to the updated version of the book "Bordellhärvan" by Deanne Rauscher, Gösta Elmquist, and Janne Mattsson (Pocketförlaget 2012). As some of you already pointed out, a remarkable tour de force of the "Call Girl" art department. Regarding the locations, most of them are negligent/ignorant choices. A 1976 costume in a Stockholm 2011. The film is stuffed with good distinctive Scandinavian actors. Most of them lost in a sprawling storyline. However, Pernilla August is truly magnificent. A lifeboat in an ocean full of good purposes.

This movie is a fictitious account of the infamous "Geijeraffären" from the mid 70's where powerful men of the upper Swedish hierarchies, even ministers, bought sexual favors from young call girls, provided for them by a notorious brothel madam.

The movie has a strong theme, about how men in powerful positions feel they are entitled to almost everything, even buying sex from underage girls. The men of the upper classes' abuse of power and money is shown very clearly, and they don't shy away from threats or even murder to cover up what they have done. The real focus though is on the unfortunate girls from society's lower classes, who are abused by these men without a second thought, and this makes for horrendous viewing that really makes you feel uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, the film's theme has somewhat been overshadowed by a controversy between the filmmakers and the Palme family. The hot topic is whether the prime minister in film is a portrayal of former Swedish prime minister Olof Palme or whether it is merely a fictional character. After initially defending their work, the director Michael Marcimain cowardly and spinelessly decided to cut his film, removing a key scene in a hotel room. Unfortunately, this leaves a HUGE plot hole, and the ending of the movie doesn't really make sense the same way without it.

Since I watched the censored blu-ray version I had to do some research afterward to piece together the importance of the missing scene with the rest of the movie.

The movie is a beautifully shot period piece and a top class conspiracy thriller reminding me of Robert Redford's best efforts back in the 70s like Three Days of the Condor or All the President's Men. However, it's tragic how the filmmakers failed do defend their excellent work and decided to cut their own movie after pressure from the Palme family. This act of cowardice is a source of frustration for everyone who is forced to watched the censored version and unfortunately this takes away some of the attention from the powerful theme of the film and what the filmmakers really wanted to say.

1970s and a Swedish scandal which is said took place in reality. High politicians went to prostitutes, some of them certainly much under age.

The problem with this film is whether it's having too little or too much to do with what really happened. Real historical persons appear here, only slightly disguised or not disguised at all really. But that's another kind of discussion. Are there anyway qualities to be found?

Yes, the so called life of the young girls is narrated in a rather touching way and focus should have been on that. Instead it's about corrupt politicians, corrupt police captains and a single policeman trying to fight it. The characters are somewhat square, which hides the story a little.

i had no idea what movie to expect , i saw the title and thought i was gonna see an easy American style thriller action fun movie. i am open minded so i was ready for whatever came on the screen. however what i saw was an impressive movie that also seemed to be a true story . i can imagine those things really happened , although few erotic scenes looked really weird and not real , i guess i am not that perverted . but the whole film seemed very realistic, no crazy action 3D VFX etc.

one of the strong parts is the 70s feeling. the people look very 70s styled. i mean they did a fantastic job to show the feel of that time and how it looked and felt. if you were in the 70s you can definitely tell how realistic the movie was. another great thing was i didn't got bored for a second. the story went on and on , and i had no idea where it was going and it was very unpredictable and interesting to see how things turned towards the end.

last thing; there was a big shock moment somewhere in the movie , it scared the heck out of me , i suddenly jumped out of my chair for a second, i can't tell you what it was , you go see for yourself. if you like realistic 70s movies , this is a good one. i liked it.