Indie Gems: The Hunt

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Jagten
 
Lucas (Mads Mikkelson) is a man who's recently gone through a divorce. He works as a kindergarten teacher where his best friends young daughter, Klara (Annika Wedderkopp) attends. She has a bit of a crush on Lucas, and when he politely puts a stop to it, Klara, hurt and confused tells a lie to a another teacher, Grethe. (Susse Wold) Grethe, faced with the situation of a young child claiming abuse proceeds to deal with said situation in the most unprofessional manner possible, and inadvertently orchestrates a witch hunt against Lucas within their small town.
 
The Hunt is an absolutely stunning film. The cinematography is wonderful, and there's never a shortage of the beautiful Danish countryside in the Autumn. Mads Mikkelson is the heart and soul of the film. It's very clear early on what the truth is, even if they try to bait you here and there. Lucas can't simply flee town, that would make him look guilty. So he puts up with the awful small town mentality all while his teenage son tries to cope along side with him.
 
The film can be frustrating. For me, having worked with children that have actually suffered abuse, the way Grethe approached this situation was horrifying. It was absolutely something she should've brought to the police first, and not her acquaintances. Plus, there's doggy death and we all know how I feel about doggy death. Despite the frustrations, it creates great conflict and you cannot take your eyes off of it. Denmark makes some damn good movies.
 
Grade: A
 
Memorable Quote: "..you want to tell me something?" - Lucas (Mads Mikkelson)

Comments

  1. MyerlaDecember 20, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    Yes, fantastic film. Interesting too, asks lots of interesting questions about the subject it discusses.

    Quite recently, in the United Kingdom, a guy was murdered because he was suspected of being a pedophile, he was innocent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamDecember 21, 2013 at 7:59 AM

      Really? Oh man, that's tragic. Sometimes I think people are almost too ready for a witch hunt.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousDecember 20, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    I just watched this yesterday, and I can't think of a time I've been MORE frustrated while watching a movie. All around, this devastated me. I'm getting ready to review it myself. Great write up! And, yes...Denmark knows how to make a movie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. s.December 20, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Great that you liked it! That movie made me feel so angry especially after the dog scene. Fucking monsters.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dan O.December 20, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    Good review Brittani. It's a heart-breaking and brutal flick that gets to the inner-core of what makes us human. And it doesn't necessarily judge us, as much as it tells us to judge ourselves and think of how we would act if we were in the same situation.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Candice FrederickDecember 20, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    it is such a lovely film, fierce in its every approach.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JoshDecember 21, 2013 at 12:17 AM

    Indeed, so frustrating, and so well-made. It's one of my favorites of the year, and Mikkelsen is my current Best Actor winner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamDecember 21, 2013 at 7:37 AM

      I would love it if he got in on the Best Actor race!

      Delete

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