Headhunters (2011)
Strong violence and sex scenes
| Director: | Morten Tyldum |
| Actors: | Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Synnove Macody Lund |
Headhunters is a thriller about Roger Brown, Norway´s most successful headhunter. The unscrupulous Brown leads a life of excess and finances his extravagance by way of dangerous art thefts. When he meets the Dutchman Clas Greve he sees the chance to become financially independent and starts planning his biggest hit ever. But soon he runs into trouble – and it’s not financial problems that are threatening to bring him down this time. Based on the book by Jo Nesbø.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 100mins |
| Origin: | NORWAY |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
Norwegian hood
by Simon Miraudo, 28/02/2012 2:23:00 PM
Morten Tyldum's Headhunters is the latest adaptation of a hit Scandinavian crime novel to arrive in cinemas. If one more gets the same treatment, it's officially a trend! But The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo this ain't. Headhunters - based on Jo Nesbø's book of the same name - is a more compelling and stranger film than the Swedish Dragon Tattoo (my preference for David Fincher's remake has been noted plenty). And rather than recalling Stieg Larsson's icy Nazi-and-misogynist-filled Sweden, Headhunters seems to take place in the same universe presided over by the prankster Gods in the Coen brothers' flicks; the very ones who punish anyone who dares to make a decision based on greed. More movies should be set there. Aksel Hennie stars as the boringly named Roger Brown, a high-powered headhun...
Morten Tyldum's Headhunters is the latest adaptation of a hit Scandinavian crime novel to arrive in cinemas. If one more gets the same treatment, it's officially a trend! But The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo this ain't. Headhunters - based on Jo Nesbø's book of the same name - is a more compelling and stranger film than the Swedish Dragon Tattoo (my preference for David Fincher's remake has been noted plenty). And rather than recalling Stieg Larsson's icy Nazi-and-misogynist-filled Sweden, Headhunters seems to take place in the same universe presided over by the prankster Gods in the Coen brothers' flicks; the very ones who punish anyone who dares to make a decision based on greed. More movies should be set there.
Aksel Hennie stars as the boringly named Roger Brown, a high-powered headhunter whose opinions on hirings and firings are perhaps the most highly valued in Oslo. Though his reputation is priceless, his spectacular house and car are not, and he's running up debts that would make Silvio Berlusconi blush. To fund his and his wife's (Synnøve Macody Lund) expensive lifestyle, he steals works of art from his clients on the side (why not?).
When Roger is introduced to the former head of a GPS-company, Clas Greve (Game of Thrones' Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), he thinks he's found the perfect fit for a commission-heavy placement at a rival firm. But he's drooling even further when he discovers Clas owns an artwork worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Roger might have found the perfect target... if only he can keep his suspicions about Clas sleeping with his wife in check.
What follows - and what won't be spoiled here - is a series of revelations that leads to a wild manhunt across the countryside; one in which the body-count stacks up well before anyone can make a dime. Though there is a Grand Canyon-sized plot hole in the final act, the individual story threads do come together rather neatly in the end. And though the picture's stylistic smugness and occasional misguided self-seriousness - as well as that of the lead character - can be difficult to look past, the final product is a furious, occasionally funny fusion of the Coens pitch-black comic-thrillers Blood Simple and Intolerable Cruelty. It never reaches the heights of either of those, but we should be thankful whenever a film can keep us on our toes for this long.
3/5
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Member Reviews (37)
37 Member
Reviews
Anne
says
Exciting from the first few minutes. I couldn't see the ending coming, which I like.Kept me riveted.I liked this as much as the Stieg Larson trilogy which is saying a lot.
rusty
says
its the worst movie i have watched in a long time.......a big flop 4 jodie foster.....i didnt watch it all as it was so s**t.... not worth a look
Len
says
Quite a bit different from the American rubbish that purport to be quality movies. This black comedy/thriller has lots of fairly outlandish plots and sub-plots that you forget just how unbelievable is this storyline because you are absorbed in the actual movie, wondering ... "what could possibly happen next?". I really liked it and even the sub-titles did not put me off. probably better than 3 stars.
says
Great plot twists to keep you guessing until the very end.
says
Good dark comedy film, good couple of twists, enjoyed it right to the end
Joff
says
If I wanted to read something I'd pick up a book.
margaret
says
A good action movie but not quite as i thought it would be but ok.
says
Lively story, lots of twists and turns with plenty of black humour. The Scandinavians seem to have a endless supply of original story lines which is something that is refreshing considering the amount of drivel Holllywood produces these days. It is subtitled, but unless you happen to be illiterate or a child you should enjoy this.
benmarshall-wordpirate.com
says
Worthwhile, definitely. The Americans are so going to re-do this one. Anyway, it's a film that won me over despite my initial dislike. A few nit-picking plot-holes aside, it's a good thriller - in fact it's a [spoiler alert] redemption story. You won't like the protagonist - at first - but you'll hold on because it flips things with fast pacing and twists. If you're able to walk and chew gum at the same time, get this one out and enjoy.
nickdeg
says
enjoyable thriller with some notso likeable characters. SOme of the cleverness just a little far fetched. 3.5 really if i could give 1/2 marks
Anne
says
This movie was great. A bit of a spoof but still great. Very entertaining as long as leave room the spoof element.
De
says
Awesome story! Lots of twists and turns. What a day! It you like thrillers you will love this.
gb
says
very good entertainment
Nigel W
says
A corporate headhunter and art thief gets more than he bargained for when he falls foul of a client. A pretty good Norwegian crime thriller with a few twists and some nice touches. The lead looks like a cross between Steve Buscemi and Christopher Walken. The type of movie that is destined to be remade by Hollywood.
Angellen
says
The subtitles were a little difficult to keep up with at times.... but kept me enthralled all the way through with it's intrigue, fast pace, survival and appalling hiding spot. A different film from anything I have encountered before and I thoroughly enjoyed the change.
if you like reading
says
subtilted didnt even bother
says
I didn't realise it was subtitled...and I hate subtitles. Didn't watch it.
Sil
says
Interesting movie which was wrapped up nicely. Very entertaining.
kimbo
says
An accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary. Fast-paced plot with many unusual and unexpected twists.
Annie S
says
Plenty of action here. And gore, blood and faeces to boot. Never a dull moment, lead actress gorgeous and a very humerous movie but I found it way too far fetched. And how he got out of that car accident without a bruise. Really....
says
Subtitles were annoying
GP
says
I enjoy a good foreign movie and this was good one. Great acting, great story line. Well worth a watch. Subtitles make you focus - it's a good thing.
kjn2010
says
Interesting plot, enjoyed but felt like I missed some scenes because of reading the sub-titled. Good to watch a movie not made in the USA. Didn't like the ending.
Jenny
says
Gripping tale with lots of hidden humour
CL-D
says
Was it ever meant to be plausible or believable? This genre is made purely for entertainment, not moral or plot dissections. There are good and bad in this category and this one is a cracker. Put your cynicism aside and enjoy, there's not too much wrong with it
says
fun film that keeps you interested the whole way through. also starring the very watchable Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Brian Fitzjohn
says
One of the best films so far of 2012. Yes, it has sub titles (it's from Norway) but the Norwegians prove they can match it with the Swedes and Danes when it comes to psychological thrillers. Title is misleading, as it refers to a Recruitment manager not an axe wielding psychopath. However, there is a psychopath in the centre of the action. 'Clas' is a former Special Services operative - 'specialising in deep tracking of people' - formerly in the Danish army, now working in a multinational telecommunications firm, who is about to be recruited by Robert Brown, our 'hero'. The action is thick and fast and you will be amazed at what our 'hero' has to do to survive the tracking skills of 'Clas' once things start going wrong. If you liked 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' trilogy, you should like this. Highly recommended.
John
says
its not too bad, but full feacal sink? It was touching in who wants to be a millionaire but not so here... otherwise ok
Elisabeth
says
Fast, fun, furious. Has the lot: chasings, shootings, betrayals and plenty of action. The anti hero, Roger Brown, is a bit of a wimp and a baddy, but he routs the worse villain, the scary ex-army Clas Greve. It's all rather improbable but a fun action movie. And...Roger gets the tall, beautiful Nordic blonde (his wife) in the end.
gerd
says
An unusual movie on many levels. Firstly, it's in Norwegian and with lots of dialogue, that means a lot of reading. Second, it's a bit of a far-fetched plot, perhaps plausible in the future, but the story seems to be set in the present. And finally, the protagonist is the most unlikely action hero; he comes through it all almost despite himself. All in all, a long way removed from the typical American thriller.
Ling
says
What a find! There's something different about these foreign films, not the usual plot like Hollywood stuff! Brilliant
micfitz
says
One star. Plenty of contrived scenes and a poor ending that makes little scientific sense. Roger is an unlikable character as are pretty much all of them. If you haven't seen it, don't bother!
Phil
says
Wow! What a killer flick made in Norway. Great Thriller not to miss. Subtitles obliged but what a ride!
Nick
says
Funny, fast paced and sharp. Really out shines a lot of Hollywood affairs. It is a right royal romp.
Bobbie
says
This film is truly awesome twists and turns and everything you could want in a movie watch now!
Cindy
says
A rollercoaster ride of a movie that could teach the Americans a thing or two about how to make smart action thrillers. Sure, the plot has some holes and a few too many amazing coincidences, but that's the nature of this genre. Headhunters doesn't want you to think too hard - it wants you to buckle up and enjoy the ride. And you will.
Steve
says
Brilliant! The new Girl with the Dragon Tattoo....