Time for another addition to the Foreign Favourites series, as the very awesome Caragale has sent in her contribution. I’ve long been a big fan of her blog and am always commenting on her articles and nominating her for awards. Not only does she write fantastic film and TV reviews, but she’s one of the most supportive and engaging bloggers around, and you should definitely head over there as soon as you read her review.
Foreign Favourites: The Hunt (Jagten)
Gosh darn you, Alex Raphael, for snatching this idea up before me!!!
Kidding. Well, mostly. 😉
I think this is a great idea for a series—so great that, as you may have gathered, I considered doing it for my own blog. I’m slightly ashamed to admit that I have seen very few foreign films. I often neglect the many wonderful films outside of my own English-speaking bubble, and this was just the push I needed to check out a film I’ve wanted to watch for some time: The Hunt (or “Jagten” in Danish). So here we go! Thanks so much, Alex, for letting me participate!
The Hunt (2012)
Synopsis: “A teacher lives a lonely life, all the while struggling over his son’s custody. His life slowly gets better as he finds love and receives good news from his son, but his new luck is about to be brutally shattered by an innocent little lie.” –www.imdb.com
What I liked:
- Mads Mikkelsen. His performance as the protagonist, Lucas, is wonderful. And it’s nice to see Mikkelsen as a good guy! Outside of this film, I have seen him in two roles: Bond villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale (2008) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter in NBC’s awesome Hannibal series. He’s great in both, but not exactly the kind of person you root for. In The Hunt, you feel for his character—a genuinely good man—and just want things to turn out okay.
- The community. Lucas’s town is immediately introduced as a small, friendly, fun-loving place where everyone knows everyone. It’s a town that’s pretty easy to imagine—which is why it’s so easy to imagine one little lie getting blown out of proportion. In places like this, word spreads like wildfire.
- Lasse Fogelstrøm. He plays Lucas’s son, Marcus, and he delivers.
- Lucas’s dog, Fanny. She has a pretty funny reaction to any mention of Lucas’s ex-wife, and she’s also at the center of one of the most dramatic moments of the film. Basically, a cute doggy is never a bad addition to a plot.
- There’s a sudden, terrifying moment in Lucas’s house that you will probably not see coming, and it’s a tense, well-done scene.
- The last minute or so of the film. I don’t want to give anything away, but for awhile I didn’t know if I was going to like the ending—it didn’t seem very realistic. But that last moment of the film puts things into perspective in a big way.
What I didn’t like:
- Lucas’s semi-girlfriend, Nadja (Alexandra Rapaport). The budding relationship seems rushed—mostly due to how very forward Nadja is. I could get over that if Nadja were pivotal to the story, but ultimately she doesn’t seem to serve much of a purpose. Not much of a purpose other than “let’s have our main character bang a hot lady,” that is.
- As I said, this is a small town, so it’s easy to see how things get blown out of proportion—especially when the topic involves the well-being of children. However, there’s almost no buildup before the entire town turns on Lucas. Literally, one day he has all his friends, the next he has no one. I find it fairly unbelievable that all of his friends would go against him so quickly—and without even asking any questions. Speaking of questions…
- The teacher who first hears about the alleged incident between Lucas and a young girl pretty much heads her own investigation. Isn’t this the kind of thing that would immediately be turned over to the police?
- Though overall I’d say the film is very well-done, there are a few scenes that seem slightly over-the-top—particularly a scene in the grocery store and, to a lesser degree, a scene in the church. They weren’t bad scenes, but there were times when I had to pause and think, “Is that really how this character would react?”
To Sum It Up: The Hunt is a film that tackles pedophilia—an extremely sensitive, grim subject—in a gripping and heartbreaking way. Lucas is innocent, and we pity him, yet we also feel for the townspeople who are so fiercely protective of their children and so devastated by the idea that anything like this could happen. It’s well-written, well-performed, and, in my opinion, well worth a view. But prepare yourself. It reveals an ugly side of humanity that might leave you a little unsettled.
My Grade: A-
My thanks to Caragale again for her fab review. I have yet to have the pleasure of seeing this film but after such a positive review, I’m definitely going to have to. And I can definitely recommend Hannibal too. It’s a superb, though very dark, show.
Great review, Cara. I quite agree on Nadja. I have no issues with how forward she is, but that she just disappears is the film’s greatest weakness. The rest of the flick’s characters never bothered me, though, and their actions never seemed inconsistent, not even the teacher’s fumbling with how to handle a situation like this one.
Either way, this is a powerful and disturbing film.
I really need to see this film. I am a big fan of thought-provoking, intense films.
This one is definitely that. 😉
Yeah I’d heard so many good things about it that I had to check it out. Very glad I did. The Nadja bit isn’t necessary, but it doesn’t take away from overall film. So well done. Thanks, my friend! 🙂
One of my favourite films of last year. It felt like something that really could have happened and the reactions were so genuine. I can’t disagree that Nadja was very forward but I think her introduction was there to help illustrate just how destructive the allegation could have been in every aspect of Lucas’ life.
Definitely a good choice by Cara. Sounds chilling.
Yeah I agree–it was definitely to demonstrate that. I just think maybe I would’ve liked it better if they already had an established (or at least somewhat established) relationship. Nonetheless, it’s a great film. 🙂
Reblogged this on Silver Screen Serenade and commented:
Alex Raphael is hosting a Foreign Favorites series, and I couldn’t resist taking part! Check out my review of gripping Danish drama The Hunt! Also, if you’ve been meaning to watch more foreign films and/or you’d like to share your love of a particular foreign favorite of your own, you should participate, too! 🙂
What a lovely comment Caragale. It’s a really perceptive review and a film I really need to see.
Thanks, buddy! I was thrilled to be able to do this! 😀
Good review Alex. A very hard-to-watch, and relatively disturbing film that hits even worse when you think about the idea of this happening to anyone else around you in the world. Maybe even yourself? You never know what people can say and how far their word gets out. I sound crazy, I know.
I’m flattered with the comparison but the review is Caragale’s. The film does sound very disturbing and I am intrigued.
This film actually reminded me a lot of Prisoners–hard to watch, but also hard NOT to watch. You have to know what happens. Thanks, Dan!
Lovely stuff Cara! I loved Fanny too 😥
The scene in the grocery store was my favourite though
It’s on my list! Have you seen the first series of Hannibal?
Not seen Hannibal yet but plan too as I really like Mickelsson
He is superb in it 🙂
Ahhh Mikey must watch Hannibal!!
Fanny! I want her! The grocery store scene was still good, but I mean…the headbutt? I kinda laughed there. But maybe I’m just a bit immature. Fantastic film regardless. Thanks, Mikey! 🙂
Great review! This has been on my to-watch list for quite a while now. Probably time I gave it a go.
Do it!!! It’s very, very good. 🙂
Excellent review Cara! Love this film. I’m glad I wasn’t the only person who found the kindergarten lady’s actions so questionable. I just wanted to yell, “Call the police, you idiot!”… but that would have been embarrassing.
Lol!! Anna, I almost wish you had yelled that! Preferably if you were in a crowded movie theater. 😉 Yeah it just seemed strange that the whole thing didn’t immediately get turned over to the police…but maybe the Danish do things differently. Haha.
Great review of a great film! Freakin’ loved this, I so hope it gets some love at the Oscars. Annoyed that Mads was overlooked though.
Feel free to participate if there’s a film you want to do
Cheers man, I may well do if I can steal some time! 🙂
Thanks, Chris! Surely it’ll win foreign film…I haven’t seen any of the others, but I’ve heard more praise about this one than anything else. And yeah it’s a shame Mads didn’t get any love. Given how awesome he is in everything I’ve seen him in, I’m sure his time will come. 🙂
I loved that film and the score 🙂
It’s definitely a good one!
Hello Caragale 🙂 I enjoyed your review 🙂 Have you seen a French movie from 1986 “Betty Blue”? If I do a review, it will be of that one.
Hi, Paula! I haven’t seen that one–haven’t even heard of it, in fact! You should do a review because I’d love to read about it! 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement.. now I just have to wait for the inspiration and a moment of tranquility to do that 😀
I hope your find both!!
And I third, fourth and fifth that
Good stuff Cara Gale!! I almost rented this today but rented Big Bad Wolves again. Maybe I’ll watch this tomorrow : )
C’mon, Eric!! Branch out!! Lol. Really though, I think you might like this one. There were times it kind of reminded me of Prisoners, and I know you liked that. It doesn’t have the mystery element Prisoners does, but it’s a very well done drama.
I might watch it this afternoon. It’s either that or a movie from this three pack of movies I bought for three dollars at the gas station yesterday. They look like real winners.
#quality
Oh dear. Well, if you want to put yourself through that you can…but I recommend The Hunt. 🙂
#muchbetter #probies
I actually ended up renting some Swedish horror job called “Thale”… let’s see how it goes : )
#womenwithtails #probies
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Excellent review Cara! This was an absolutely fantastic film and I was hooked from the off!
Thanks, Zoe! Yeah it’s a great one, isn’t it? I need to see more stuff where Mads is the good guy! 🙂
Really good review. This film really hits hard, I was completely blown away by Mads Mikkelsen. However dark and unsettling it is, I found myself 100% immersed in the story. I think you make a great point about his casting. Many of us have seen him as a villain (Casino Royale/Hannibal), so him playing a character we feel such deep sympathy for, worked really well, in a weird way. Great post.
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