King's Game

I always knew, that this movie was one to watch, and one which would be of interest of me, so when I got the chance to see it, I didn't let the opportunity miss. But never did I know, of how great I would find this movie. Mainly, you see movies, which you find good, bad or indifferent, but rarely you see movies that are truly captivating as "Kongekabale" was for me. I guess it depends on what kind of movie you like. I like movies, where I can't predict it all, with complicated plots, that you sit and try and figure out, while watching. And all this I got with "Kongekabale".

It's about a reporter getting a leak about the husband to the woman who might get in power after the next election. But that's just a layer, the top of the iceberg. It suddenly evolves to a huge amount of layers of lies, cheats and people that literary would kill for power. And the spiderweb just evolves and evolves.

The movie is based (although in exaggerated form) on real events, and even though the plot is exaggerated, it surely sends a message about current politics all over the world, and how people behave with power.

The actors play well, and the directing and script is top notch. The movie is perfectly balanced, and also some remarks makes you laugh on occasion, without it sounding odd or out of place. And the ending itself is so amazing, that I couldn't believe it.

A masterpiece. Watch it!

This film is simply riveting from beginning to end. Right from the opening scene I found myself enthralled and could simply not take my eyes off the screen.

I remember many years ago seeing " All the president's men " which was about two journalists successful attempts to uncover the truth about the Watergate scandal.

This film is very much in the same genre and at least as good. It is clearly the best film I've seen this decade and I've seen some very good ones.

The main star , Anders W Bertelsen is one of my absolute favourite actors. He was supported some some of Denmarks best actors.

The script was excellent and the way the tension and uncertainty as to what was going to happen and what what going to be uncovered , was masterfully handled.

This is one of the movies that you see hundreds of from the big movie-mekka, Hollywood... But in the last couple of years, danish movies have improved radically, and producers abroad has gotten an eye open towards danish actors, producers, directors and so on and so forward... But most of our big hits have been comedies and action-movies, and almost always with an actor by the name of Kim Bodnia in the leading role... But now it's time to introduce the first danish thriller since Nattevagten (Nightwatch, as the American replicant of it is called), Kongekabale...

The movie is based on a book by the same name, and the book is loosely based on a true story - with rewritten names and so on and so forward... The book got great reviews, and so did the movie... And it's just...

I went to the cinema to watch the movie, as I read the book a couple of months ago and wanted to see if the movie could live up to the suspense of the book... And it does...

With Søren Pilmark as the mean politician, who seems to be involved in all the mysterious happenings, and Anders W. Berthelsen as the nosey reporter, who smells something is wrong, we've got two of Denmarks best actors to ensure us of a good evening spend in front of the screen... Søren Pilmark, who is well-known for his comic-talent, shows a dark side of himself and delivers a GREAT performance... Anders W. Berthelsen, who got his real breakthrough this spring with a leading role in the danish drama-series Krøniken, shows a more progressive side of himself, and it suits him just as fine as the shy guy he is known for...

With all this said, I can't say nothing else that:

Go see the movie - it can easily live up to similar Hollywood-movies...

I really enjoyed this gem when I caught it at a festival. The film is very well crafted. Tight direction, brilliant lighting, and shot after shot was just sparkling and a pleasure to watch. The story holds your interest throughout and although you're not forced to hold your breath in suspense, you ARE looking forward to where it is going. The performances are all believable but an actor named Anders W. Berthelsen carries this film on his back! If this guy can speak English, he's the next great American character actor. Meanwhile, I'll settle for subtitles.

8/10

In a generally steady and advanced country, it is difficult to create an intensive political film and remain realistic as most thriller fans are eager to follow sophisticated conspiracies, events of several levels, and the opponents not afraid of using "ultimate" measures. But the makers of Kongekabale have succeeded in this, beginning with the trigger event... On the other hand, we get the real picture early (perhaps too early) and then it remains us to observe how the things develop and what measures are taken by both sides. Luckily, the tensions are maintained, all main persons have their ups and downs, paving the way for expected, but realistic end (and the scene when a lie is publicly revealed is solved in an interesting, different manner). The cast is strong as well - many of the actors are often used in crime series and thrillers playing both the good and the bad - and the inclusion of Nicolas Bro as Henrik Moll provided several giggling moments into the often depressive atmosphere and background.

And of course, all this shows that Denmark is a democratic country with rather low crime, in many other countries rivals or nosy people get killed or get lost...