Klatretøsen

I just saw this movie at the Berlin Film Festival's Children's Program and it just killed me (and pretty much everyone else in the audience)! And make no mistake about it, this film belongs into the all-time-250! Let me tell you that I'm in no way associated with the creators of this film if that's what you come to believe reading this. No, but this actually is IT! Nevermind the "kid's-film" label on it, "Klatretösen" ("Climber Girl") is on almost every account a classic (as in "biblical")! The story concerns 12-year old Ida (magnetic: Julie Zangenberg), who is devastated to learn of her daddy's terminal illness. Special surgery in the US would cost 1.5 million and of course, nobody could afford that. So Ida and her friends Jonas and Sebastian do what every good kid would - and burglarize a bank! Sounds corny? Don't forget: This is not America and "Klatretösen" is by no means the tear-jerking Robin-Williams-multiplex-plat-du-jour nobody takes seriously anyway. Director Fabian Wullenweber set out to make a big-budget-action-comedy for kids and, boy, did he succeed! Let me put it this way: This film rocks like no kid-film and few others did before. And there's a whole lot more to it than just the "action". After about 20 minutes of by-the-numbers-exposition (well, granted) it accelerates into a monster that:

• effortlessly puts "mission impossible" to shame (the numerous action sequences are masterfully staged and look real expensive - take that, mummy!)

• dwarves almost every other movie suspense-wise ( no easy-they're-only-kids-antics here )

• easily laces a dense story with enough laughs to make jim carrey look for career alternatives

• nods to both damon runyon and karate kid within the same seconds

• comes up with so much wicked humor that side of p.c. that I can hear the American ratings board wet their pants from over here

• manages to actually be tender and serious and sexy at the same time (ohmygod, what am I saying?? they're kids! they're kids! - nevermind, watch that last scene!)

• stars Stafan Pagels Anderson, who since last years "Mirakel" is everybody's favourite kid actor

What a ride!

This movie is the absolutely perfect way to explain what a good movie is. It is a movie both for children and parents, and it is "timeless". I saw this movie before Ocean's Eleven and must admit that the actors in OE has class in advance, but the play of Klatretøsen is much more down-to-earth and moving. Why i say Ocean's Eleven, is the fact that these 2 movies has many things in common and Klatretøsen is THAT good ! that it can bear comparison with OE. The 3 youngsters play their part in a perfect way not to believe, compared to what we are used to in Denmark. The different cases of impossible acts, is handled in a way that you wouldn't belive from many young actors (and sometimes not even from the "old boys"). The story ? again it has things in common with Ocean's Eleven except for the reason of stealing the money and in Klatretøsen they need to climb up to the strongroom. The part in which the young people has to take care of Ida's younger brother, gives a fine element in the movie. Try to imagine how to rob a bank with a 2 year child with a nappy, on your arm :-).

This movie can bear comparison with most "grown up" movie like MI2 and Ocean's Eleven. Yes i do believe it is THAT good. It is best to see it in a theater, as all the children in the room comments the movie and these comments will stay in your hearts forever :-).

Regards Klavs.

Yes, I am sentimental, and yes, I love movies where kids are the better humans. True, Klatretøsen does have some logical or even plot shortcomings. These are more than compensated by the kids' great acting (Julias first movie role at all!) and the charm of a Dogma film (I liked this kind of cinematografic art long before the Dogma; ever since Herzog's 'Herz aus Glas'). Well, I cried through the last fifteen minutes which is a higher tear factor than bambi or Fly away home had for me.

I liked this movie for its plot, despite its improbability.

Ida is a young girls who got a passion for climbing from her father who climbed Mount Everest before she was born. Because of an accident where he fell down, he isn't too happy to see his daughter climbing. That accident haunts him and ends up critically numbing his entire body and without an affordable cure in immediate sight Ida arranges a bank robbery to get the money.

When the plot is in undivided focus it keeps your interest with its steady pace and great build-up with atmospheric music and some surprises along the way. The determination expressed from the main actress to save her dying father is what drives the plot and its action along with her friends' support.

But I can't deny that the acting could be pretty wooden especially from the younger actors. The lines can be pretty corny, but at times when the lines are supposed to be, it's possible to make me chuckle. The romance subplot serves its purpose and works in the context of the movie being for children and acted by children as well.

So to sum up, a good movie for children with a cool plot despite its impropability and some wooden acting here and there.

12 year old Ida has a talent for climbing. She shares this interest with her beloved father, and is always looking for a new challenge. Her father runs a go-kart track, her mother is security manager in a bank. Ida's two best friends, Sebastian and Jonas, are hanging around competing for her attention and hoping for the privilege of becoming her boyfriend. One day her father is diagnosed with a very serious illness and the only thing that can save his life is a very expensive medical operation in the USA. When her mother fails to secure a loan, Ida decides to take the matter into her own hands. With the assistance of Sebastian and Jonas she starts planning a stunt that will make her Denmarks youngest bank-robber ...