Headhunters (Hodejegerne)

A Magnolia Pictures (in U.S.)/Nordisk Filmdistribusjon (in Norwegian) discharge of Friland Film, Yellowbird Norge presentation and production, in colaboration with ARD Degeto, Nordisk Film, using the participation of SVT, 2. (Worldwide sales: Trustnordisk, Hvidovre, Denmark.) Created by Asle Vatn, Marianne Grey. Directed by Morten Tyldum. Script, Ulf Ryberg, Lars Gudmestad, depending on Jo Nesbo's novel.With: Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Synnove Macody Lund, Julie Olgaard, Eivind Sander, Daniel Bratterud. (Norwegian, British, Russian dialogue)An even, intriguing opening along with a foreseeable but psychologically satisfying home stretch bookend helmer Morten Tyldum's otherwise by-the-amounts Norwegian thriller "Headhunters." Depending on Jo Nesbo's eponymous bestseller, the slickly put together project stars local title thesp Aksel Hennie because the story's guy away from home, an insecure but effective recruitment specialist who moonlights being an art crook -- until a large score goes awry. Though unlikely to complement worldwide B.O. amounts of co-producer Yellowbird's "Millennium" films, "Predators" should hit targets like a home-entertainment item. Pic already offered to many Euro areas and Magnolia within the U.S., that is thinking of getting an autumn release. Marketing a movie full of sometimes blackly comic violence might prove tricky in Norwegian, where it is out August. 26, within the wake of latest tragic occasions. Elsewhere this ought to be straight-up Scandi genre fare, with sufficient graphic bloodshed, nudity and sex to make sure a tough "R" rating. Within the sleekly shot and edited opening sequence, a balaclava-putting on Roger Brown (Hennie) sometimes appears sliding into an affluent the place to find steal a canvas while, in v.o., he describes the guidelines that guide worthwhile art crook. The film will really are a feature-length illustration showing rule # 5: "Eventually, you'll either steal an artwork so costly you won't ever have to work again, or you will get caught." Before it transmits Brown running, pic's nimble, half-hour intro well creates the protag's meek, overcompensating character and also the neat means by which Brown's headhunter job dovetails together with his second, more harmful occupation. Although the modified script, credited to Ulf Ryberg ("The Lady Who Started the Hornet's Nest") and Lars Gudmestad ("Liverpool Goalkeeper"), uses pure pop psychology 101, Hennie's Someone In Particular-like characteristics and entertaining narration allow it to be hard to not root with this slightly dorky Everyman having a plan. Brown's large score involves a Rubens painting within the Oslo apartment of Dane Clas Grave (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who also is actually an ideal candidate to have an executive publish Brown must fill. Almost disturbingly good-searching and suave, Grave may be the polar complete opposite of Brown, therefore it is no real surprise the objective is frequently a measure in front of the crook. Midsection is essentially one lengthy, well-performed but hardly original chase with the wet and dirty Norwegian countryside. Tight concentrate on Brown and Grave highlights the narrative's cat-and-mouse character but additionally barely leaves room for dead finishes or red-colored herrings -- that could help to keep auds speculating about where all of this is headed it's obvious from in early stages that every supporting character onscreen will either quickly finish up dead or live just lengthy enough to supply crucial information afterwards. Nevertheless, Hennie creates enough curiosity about his character's plight to maintain auds hooked. The thesp even handles to inject some utter loneliness and melancholy following a remarkable vehicle-crash sequence along with a painful make an effort to shave his mind. As his opponent, Coster-Waldau is efficient but more one-note, while Eivind Sander, like a sex-crazed accomplice of Brown, may be the otherwise solid ensemble's standout. According to the closing credits, the film's helicopter shots are really from Yellowbird's "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo." The relaxation from the tech package is smooth.Camera (color, widescreen), John Andreas Andersen editor, Vidar Flataukan music, Trond Bjerknes, Jeppe Kaas production designer, Nina Bjerch-Andresen costume designer, Karen Fabritius Gram seem (Dolby SRD), Tormod Ringnes effects supervisor, Koo Hummer Hojmark. Examined at Locarno Film Festival (Piazza Grande), August. 3, 2011. Running time: 100 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com