Amor patriae nostra lex - The love for our country is our law. This quote tells what it's all about, though telling more will reveal too much before you enjoy the film.
A Danish/Swedish thriller directed by Danish films grand auteur Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, with Anders W. Berthlsen in the main role. we also meet other great actors. Ghita Nørby as his mother and the Norwegians Maria Bonnevie, Baard Owe, and Danish Lars Mikkelsen and Sonja Richter in supporting roles. They all do a terrific job, under the skilled hands of Kragh-Jacobsen. Script written by Rasmus Heisterberg and the director.
It's a political thriller with a tension that is great. It's up-building is conventional, but effective. I would say spot on, since it's still a mystery that is being solved here, a more difficult storytelling would also make it more difficult to follow.
The start of the film takes us to a tragic holiday house fire in 1988, where Thomas loses his girlfriend. We also understand that the sister was involved in getting hold of secret documents which could compromise something important. Then the film jumps to 2008, which is "today" in the film. Today Thomas works a children's entertainer, much to his daughter's disapproval. Then the story immediately picks up.
Taught, tense, exciting, well made thriller, which could have had a way better ending. Flawless photographing and nice camera work, still makes this well worth a watch.
