PUSHER PART 5

This is a taut, edgy, highly believable and compelling piece of work. Its story is simple but its acting and realist documentary direction make for highly powerful viewing. It stars one of Denmarks leading actors Kim Bodnia as Frank, a tough and unrepentant drug dealer. From the opening the viewer is totally immersed into his world. The making of his daily rounds reveals his aggressive and no nonsense approach to business. He is first seen with his partner in crime intimidating a buyer into paying far over the odds. The camera is always moving, following a purely Franks eye view of the world. He and Tonny (Mads Mikkelsen) drive around talking trash and engaging in serious nighttime debauchery. Their underground Copenhagen lifestyle and friendship are utterly compelling. Things start to go wrong for Frank when he buys a large amount of heroin on credit from local drug lord Milo (Zlatko Buric). At the subsequent sale, the police intercept things. Frank escapes in a dramatic foot chase, jumping into the lake with the merchandise. He is subsequently interrogated by undercover cops and released – but now has a serious problem in owing a large amount of money to the drug kingpin. This is the key source of narrative tension in the film, leading to Franks descent into hell as more and more doors are slammed in his face. Bodnia is a revelation in the lead role, exuding a tough, animal masculinity which grows progressively more vulnerable and desperate as malign fate takes over his …
Video Rating: 4 / 5