Call Girl

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.

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.

'Call Girl' premiered in the UK yesterday at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and earnt its inclusion with a clever narrative, great casting and an outstanding performance from Pernilla August.

August's portrayal of Dagmar Glans, or the real-life Doris Hope, was remarkably accomplished. Her interactions with the girls, police and politicians of 70's Sweden were entirely convincing. She is at once powerful and repulsive and cannot be ignored.

The film provides social and political context through multiple narratives that allow the audience to glimpse the story from the point of view of the girls, their guardians, Glans, the secret service and the politicians in equal measure.

The clever casting of a wide array of politicians allows the film to show both an intimate and distant side to their world. They are effectively juxtaposed with the girls that they use and, through this, come across to the audience as powerful, feared but flawed characters.

The soundtrack and wardrobe are also worthy of a positive mention.

For me 'Call Girl' is less enjoyable due to some exaggerated acting and plot jumps.

The representation of Simon J Berger's policeman 'hero' is exaggerated. His actions are enough for the audience to understand his noble intentions and his abrasive style. There is no need for the added swagger, the punch and the rock-star dress-sense that is bolted-on to this character.

The change which comes about in the friendship between Iris and Sonja is acted out unconvincingly by Sofia Karemyr and Josefin Asplund.

Also, the sequence at the beginning of the film which shows the press officer in Sandberg's office might confuse viewers. Instead the action could cut directly from the introductory TV interview to Iris and her mother.

This film taught and engaged me and I would highly recommend it. If you enjoyed this movie you may also like 'Shame' (2011).

CALL GIRL is one of those slow and sombre Scandinavian productions that's all about the slow burn. It tells the true story of a scandalous call girl ring running in Sweden in the 1970s in which underage girls were procured for leading politicians of the era. Names have been changed but the viewer nonetheless comes away with some idea of the corruption inherent during the era, and of course we all know that most countries have their own skeletons in the closet from that decade.

As a film, CALL GIRL doesn't really excite or involve the viewer too much, although it's certainly very well made and beautifully directed in places. The subject matter is racy but somehow never sleazy; there's a classy slickness to the production that veers on the right side of taste. Saying that, there's still a heck of a lot of nudity from the young women involved, so it's not going to be for all tastes. The acting is of a generally realistic standard, too. My main issue is with the overlong running time; at least half the has elapsed before the story begins for real with the police investigation and some efficient pruning could have turned this into something really remarkable.

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.