Scandinavia seems to be quite prominent in the crime genre nowadays; there are numerous TV shows, such 'Borgen', 'The Bridge' and 'The Killing' and ever-popular books, the most notable example being Stieg Larsson's 'Millennium' trilogy, which was made into a series of films in his native Sweden, while the trilogy's first instalment was also made in a U.S. production. All of which brings me to 'Headhunters', a cracking thriller adapted from Jo Nesbø's novel of the same name.
Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie) is a corporate recruiter, albeit one with a Napoleon complex. His real source of income comes from his dealings as an art thief, which helps him to afford his wealthy lifestyle and ensure that his statuesque wife doesn't leave him. After discovering that one of his job prospects, Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coaster Waldau) owns one of the most valuable paintings around, Roger plans to steal it, however he is unaware of exactly who he is dealing with.
Aksel Hennie is terrific as Roger Brown; he's an unlikable and selfish chap, who utilises his smarts throughout the movie to ingeniously escape a number of crazy predicaments as the hunter becomes the hunted and Roger is truly put through the wringer. As Clas Greve, Nikolaj Coaster Waldau (ever-brilliant as Jaime Lannister in 'Game of Thrones') is essentially everything that Roger isn't – tall, suave and handsome. The Danish actor uses this to his advantage and proves to be an excellent foil to Hennie.
There are rumours of a American remake starring Mark Wahlberg, presumably as Roger Brown, however, but let's hope it doesn't happen, because it's highly unlikely that it could be a patch on 'Headhunters'. It's a thoroughly entertaining, blackly comic and intelligently-written cat-and-mouse thriller that moves at a great pace, with a couple of breathless setpieces and an excellent cast.
Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie) is a corporate recruiter, albeit one with a Napoleon complex. His real source of income comes from his dealings as an art thief, which helps him to afford his wealthy lifestyle and ensure that his statuesque wife doesn't leave him. After discovering that one of his job prospects, Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coaster Waldau) owns one of the most valuable paintings around, Roger plans to steal it, however he is unaware of exactly who he is dealing with.
Aksel Hennie is terrific as Roger Brown; he's an unlikable and selfish chap, who utilises his smarts throughout the movie to ingeniously escape a number of crazy predicaments as the hunter becomes the hunted and Roger is truly put through the wringer. As Clas Greve, Nikolaj Coaster Waldau (ever-brilliant as Jaime Lannister in 'Game of Thrones') is essentially everything that Roger isn't – tall, suave and handsome. The Danish actor uses this to his advantage and proves to be an excellent foil to Hennie.
There are rumours of a American remake starring Mark Wahlberg, presumably as Roger Brown, however, but let's hope it doesn't happen, because it's highly unlikely that it could be a patch on 'Headhunters'. It's a thoroughly entertaining, blackly comic and intelligently-written cat-and-mouse thriller that moves at a great pace, with a couple of breathless setpieces and an excellent cast.