The Green Butchers (2003)

"No, no, this isn't Fred... yet."

Genre: Drama Comedy (Denmark)

Starring: Madse Mikkelsen (King Arthur; Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself), Nikolaj Lie Kaas

Directed By: Anders Thomas Jensen

Overview: A couple of friends start up a butcher shop of their own. When the electrician dies in the freezer, one of the owners gets nervous and serves him up to the customers.

Acting: The main character (and himself as his twin) and his gitchy partner in crime make the whole movie. The other characters, the old butcher, the love interests, the victims, customers and others all do well, but nowhere near as our main two men. The casting, the direction, everything solid.
Rating: 8

Cinematography: I was impressed with the angles and settings of this film. Even simple places like the crematorium, butcher shop, hospital, and even the street, all exciting to watch. I don't know if it's the lenses or the lighting, but there was just something really memorable about the look of this film and the way they captured the story. Very impressive in it's simplicity.
Rating: 8

Script:The delivery, the words, it's a nice story. The dialogue of the touched brother is very entertaining and comedic without being insulting. It's good to have him be the voice of reason, the mouth that speaks of the past while the other brother stays tight-lipped. Really well written, especially the Sweaty Svend stuff. Great job.
Rating: 8

Plot: The story was terrific. In the end there was a bit of 'standard happy ending', but the beginning with the butcher shop and the plan that unfolds from the accident and the aftermath was really enjoyable. Some films have everything but plot, which leaves me a little empty. This one had it, but with that little love interest sub-plot thrown in, I wondered if it was too much. Hence, I'd rate it shy from perfection.
Rating: 8

Mood: The mood was very microcosmic. A small story carrying great weight for the players. Overall, I really felt as though I was there with the characters, but I can't say the mood was really something the producers thought of too hard. Luckily the other categories carried this on their own. It was good, just not amazing.
Rating: 7

"Allooo? We're here for the special meat offer? I'm bringing in the special meat!"

Overall Rating: 78% (It'll Slay You)

Aftertaste: Let me tout TMN On Demand again. Usually I use it to see movies I've heard about but never wanted to pay to see, and then one lazy Saturday afternoon I think "I want to write a review, what's on?" Usually my expectation are met, knowing that the movie isn't as bad as it could have been and I'm glad I didn't pay for it. Then there's moments like this one: finding amazing little films that I've never heard of or saw on a shelf anywhere for rent. This is a great movie that I completely would have missed. Oh and I don't think I've ever seen a bad Danish movie, ever. This is great, loved it.