Kongekabale

As with most Danish films of the last ten years the visual images are brilliant, the intrigue is impressive and the actors are very good.

But best of all is that the imagery of Kongkabale fits in well with the shady nature of politics suggested by the filmmakers. As a political thriller its right up there with The Contender, City Hall or All the Presidents Men (although you can't really argue against the shadiness in the final one). But Kongakabale reaches the real heights because it doesn't overplay corruption or evil and shows that no matter which side you might play for you will face ethical dilemmas.

The one criticism that one might have about this film is that one or two of the characters are perhaps overtly cynical but then even these few exceptions are definitely needed to take the story home.

This is one of the movies that you see hundreds of from the big movie-mekka, Hollywood... But in the last couple of years, danish movies have improved radically, and producers abroad has gotten an eye open towards danish actors, producers, directors and so on and so forward... But most of our big hits have been comedies and action-movies, and almost always with an actor by the name of Kim Bodnia in the leading role... But now it's time to introduce the first danish thriller since Nattevagten (Nightwatch, as the American replicant of it is called), Kongekabale...

The movie is based on a book by the same name, and the book is loosely based on a true story - with rewritten names and so on and so forward... The book got great reviews, and so did the movie... And it's just...

I went to the cinema to watch the movie, as I read the book a couple of months ago and wanted to see if the movie could live up to the suspense of the book... And it does...

With Søren Pilmark as the mean politician, who seems to be involved in all the mysterious happenings, and Anders W. Berthelsen as the nosey reporter, who smells something is wrong, we've got two of Denmarks best actors to ensure us of a good evening spend in front of the screen... Søren Pilmark, who is well-known for his comic-talent, shows a dark side of himself and delivers a GREAT performance... Anders W. Berthelsen, who got his real breakthrough this spring with a leading role in the danish drama-series Krøniken, shows a more progressive side of himself, and it suits him just as fine as the shy guy he is known for...

With all this said, I can't say nothing else that:

Go see the movie - it can easily live up to similar Hollywood-movies...

This film is simply riveting from beginning to end. Right from the opening scene I found myself enthralled and could simply not take my eyes off the screen.

I remember many years ago seeing " All the president's men " which was about two journalists successful attempts to uncover the truth about the Watergate scandal.

This film is very much in the same genre and at least as good. It is clearly the best film I've seen this decade and I've seen some very good ones.

The main star , Anders W Bertelsen is one of my absolute favourite actors. He was supported some some of Denmarks best actors.

The script was excellent and the way the tension and uncertainty as to what was going to happen and what what going to be uncovered , was masterfully handled.

In a generally steady and advanced country, it is difficult to create an intensive political film and remain realistic as most thriller fans are eager to follow sophisticated conspiracies, events of several levels, and the opponents not afraid of using "ultimate" measures. But the makers of Kongekabale have succeeded in this, beginning with the trigger event... On the other hand, we get the real picture early (perhaps too early) and then it remains us to observe how the things develop and what measures are taken by both sides. Luckily, the tensions are maintained, all main persons have their ups and downs, paving the way for expected, but realistic end (and the scene when a lie is publicly revealed is solved in an interesting, different manner). The cast is strong as well - many of the actors are often used in crime series and thrillers playing both the good and the bad - and the inclusion of Nicolas Bro as Henrik Moll provided several giggling moments into the often depressive atmosphere and background.

And of course, all this shows that Denmark is a democratic country with rather low crime, in many other countries rivals or nosy people get killed or get lost...

I didn't expect a lot from this film... I just knew it was a Danish thriller about some political situation, and that it had gotten mostly positive reviews. Being somewhat unimpressed by Danish cinema, I didn't really give it much of a chance to grab me... yet it managed to do so. For at least the last two-thirds of this film, I was hanging by every single line spoken and every detail on screen. It's unusually well-made, not only for a Danish film. I'm impressed that this is Nikolaj Arcel's first movie as a director; he does a marvelous job. The film contains a very accurate and realistic portrayal of politics in a democratic country. As such, it's actually quite unnerving... the thought that something like what is shown in this film can actually take place. The very last line of the film holds more truth than the combined efforts of plenty of less intelligent writers. The plot is interesting. The pace is very good, you're never really bored. The visuals and cinematography are perfect, not too simple, but not flashy, either. The acting is top-notch in all cases. The dialog is well-written and equally well-delivered. The finale is one of the best pieces of storytelling on film I've seen for a while. Now, despite all these positive things I've written so far, this film does have some rather big flaws. First off, it's plot-driven, yet the story and concept would have done much better with a character-driven film. All characters are used as plot devices; they exist to drive the plot further, to tell the story, rather than to evoke emotions and be active parts of it. The character development is slim... actually, it's rather close to completely non-existent. We don't know or care about these people... and why should we? They are all paper-thin and clichéd. Everyone is completely driven by one thing, and one thing alone. The villain is the worst. Not one redeeming quality to him whatsoever. Not even the least bit credible. Something that hurts the high quality of this film is that we are practically introduced to the bad guys... there's no suspense on that front. So part of the film is just watching the main character discover what we already know. What's left for suspense is the viewers following the evidence being collected. Not saying that it isn't entertaining to watch... but it could most certainly have been better. As it is, the film is a well-done and accurate portrayal of modern-day politics with a very good plot, and in which the execution leaves some to be desired. I recommend it to fans of thrillers, particularly political ones. It lacks in nuance and slightly in suspense, but it is well-done and it has an important message. 8/10