Let me start by saying that this was one of the most entertaining films I have ever seen. It's a pure adrenaline rush from start to finish, and is plain, good 'ol fashioned fun. This Norwegian film is about a successful headhunter who makes a living on the side by stealing art, living far beyond the realm of wealth where he should. One piece of art he steals, turns out to belong to a mercenary out for blood. This simple plot kicks off a movie that features some great twists and tense action.
The two main actors, Askel Hennie and Nokolaj Coster-Waldau, have amazing screen presence. Hennie is superb as Roger Brown, the headhunter on the run. His performance is vulnerable, unsure, and quite nervous. The lengths he has to go to escape from Waldau's ruthless mercenary, Clas Greave, lead to some horrifying experiences. One in particular involves being locked in a port-o-potty with nowhere to hide except......well....you can imagine the rest. Waldau is that other type of "headhunter", calmly stalking Roger with incredible slickness. The performances are consistent and provide much enjoyment.
What makes these performances really special is how funny they are; this film is a pitch-black comedy with some of the best dark humor this side of Tarantino films. Watching Roger start up a forklift in lieu of any cars, and impale Greave's dog and then riding down the road is brutally hilarious.
Technically, the film is also wonderful. Norway is captured in wonderful detail, and the modern European interior look has never looked better. The camera is steady, and doesn't devolve into the shaky and unfocused realm of camerawork that so frequently plagues modern thrillers. The sound is solid, and provides crisp, clear audio output.
The deeper theme here is that what goes around, comes around. Roger cheats on his wife frequently, and feels no regret for it. In an almost karmic twist of fate, it turns out Greve has been sleeping with Roger's wife. Roger also goes to incredible lengths to try and survive, and has no desire to kill. I find it interesting that the few bodies Roger ends up leaving in his wake (not going to spoil who they are or why they are in Roger's way) are all killed by accident. Life can be crazy, and Roger really gets to find out how insane things can become.
"Headhunters" is quite the film. A throwback to older thrillers, it is a consistent and engaging film that surprises and shocks with riotously dark violence and caustic wit.
Rated R for bloody violence including some grisly images, strong sexual content and nudity
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