Noble killer thief, and brooding Mads Mikkelsen against the background of the German mountains.
The film is about a noble thief, a page in the direction of Robin Hood, but much deeper, somewhat protracted and not moderately quiet.
Arnaud de Palier decided to film a cult for Europe, but not popular in other countries, the story about Kohlhaas, which immediately raises the question why there is a dubbing for this film, if few people will come to it?
First of all, this is a classic, you need to know! And if seriously the work turned out to be too pathetic and exhausted, the picture is the most amateur. The characters turned out to be too disposable (just like the peasants of the landlord!), and without acquaintance with the original it will seem that they are closer to paper than cardboard.
But one character is what he should be, Kohlhaas, performed by an incredible lover of “Date!” Mikkelsen turned out to be a deep, noble and pure thought, a hero among injustice and horrors, the wild mores of feudalism.
It was on it that, strangely, Arnaud de Palier decided to play, and make it whiter and more honest than in the original, which undoubtedly benefited the film, because if there was no emotional torment of poor Michael on the screen, I would definitely fall asleep.
The last plus in the film is the visual and scenery, the costume designer my respect, and the operator a thousand bows, the incredible atmosphere of German nature immerses and catches that you just want to look and be part of all this charm, and the music of Martin “Wheeler” completes with broad strokes this cruel, but such a fabulous picture.
6 out of 10
My opinion, beautiful, atmospheric, but a little boring and old-fashioned places, I recommend to lovers of reconstruction and historicism.
"- Through dull glass. It's an image. The way we see the world. Something you see, but you don't know.
- Enemy.
- Or a friend. Or you yourself.
With every movie I see with Mads Mikkelsen, I open it up in a new way and just fall more and more in love with his work. This historical film is very difficult in terms of presentation. Difficult in its depth. Complicated by its, strange as it may sound, historicity.
The realities of the sixteenth century are shown without embellishment, where each successive estate has the right to treat the following absolutely as it wishes. The baron, as a toll for the right of way (which had already been abolished, but the baron kept silent about it, of course), took his two best stallions from the horse dealer Michael Kohlhaas. On the condition that they return them. But from beautiful stately horses they turned into sick and maimed. The merchant appealed to the court with a request that the baron return his horses in the same form in which they came to him. But the court rejected his request, as the judge was related to the baron. Then Kohlhaas’s wife went to ask for mercy from the princess. But they didn't come back, they brought her back in a bloody cart. Realizing that justice would not come by legal means, Kohlhaas gathered a detachment of soldiers and set out on the path of war.
The film is captivating by the fact that it does not contain a lot of pretentious speeches, many unnecessary dialogues – there are few of them in the film. Everything is very simple, and at the same time contains a lot. The cameraman shows nature more than the actors, and this is also a distinctive part of this film, but absolutely not spoiling it, but on the contrary, emphasizing it. The right mood is created and even the silence of the characters speaks to the viewer. The color scheme is designed in gray tones of fog, gloomy sky and armor, the green color of endless grassy expanses. Music is worthy of pictures and evokes the idea of the harsh northern expanses.
As I wrote above, there is little dialogue in the film, so the acting can be appreciated doubly acutely. First of all, of course, Mads Mikkelsen. He is simply created for such roles, where the hero is strong, verbose, even gloomy and harsh, but strong-willed and inflexible. His performance in this film struck me, which is why I write a review, and not even because I liked the film so much, although it has something to think about, and it is stored in memory and touches some parts of the soul. But it was exactly what reflected on Mads' face and eyes as he played in the last scene of the film that made me sit down and write a review. The ending was predetermined, you could say, but I had tears in my eyes, I really cried, and not even paramountly because of the plot ending, but because of how Mads played it. It's just... genius! No words, but what an emotion, I was just thrilled. Tears of delight. For the first time in my life, I realized that this is not just a winged expression, but it really happens. Excellent. This is a view in which understanding, awareness and acceptance were read. Bravo, just bravo, I have no words. I would write my dissertation on Mads in this scene if I had the talent. Other actors are also good, look organically, but pale in comparison with Mikkelsen.
Michael Kohlhaas is not intended for a large audience, and even the fact that it was nominated for the Palme d’Or would not have attracted crowds, but it carries something Scandinavian, cold and truthful. I would definitely revisit it in a couple of years.
P.S. Reminds me of the movie with Mads “Salvation” and in style, and character of the hero, and partly in history.
According to a number of manifestations provided in the film, from the film director Arnaud de Paliera, you can see with what diligence the gloomy atmosphere is demonstrated here, put very carefully and carefully, correctly preserving the terrible atmosphere of that historical period. But it is, a little about the wrapper of the picture, in which the creators provide the story of a rich horse dealer. Giving himself to charisma, a strong and harsh man, burned by time and, among other things, unforeseen trials fall to his share, because of which he has to take up the sword to cut off the scum of the head, cut, kill, but remain a faithful father to his daughter.
Really gloomy, and something with the participation in this picture of the same Dane Mads Mikkelsen, better known to me and many movie fans, as well as the audience ("Casino Royale, recent with him "Salvation", as well as the series "Hannibal") reminds me of the coldest and verbose "Valhalla: The Viking Saga" (from the director Nicholas Winding Refn).
As a result of its structure, "Michael Kohlhaas", gives the coldness of the North, which will be very attractive to those who are interested in history, and will also please fans of real, strictly sustained films, where the struggle of a real simple courageous man with a greedy, vile system is displayed.
Personally, the film did not cause a storm of emotions. Perhaps because I saw Jack Bull (1999), which is also based on the same book, only slightly interpreted. Here the action takes place in the XVI century, and there in America at the end of the XIX century. So what's Michael Koolhaas about? Justice, that law and justice sometimes have nothing to do with each other? It seems that even the law was invented in order not to accidentally prevail justice. What is the most important thing in life, not to do injustice or not to allow others to do it? Everyone wants justice, but not many people are willing to pay for it. What can not be said about the main character. After being drawn into a conflict with a cruel feudal lord, the price he will have to pay is irrelevant to him.
The biggest plus of this picture is the game of Mads Mikkelsen, who plays the roles of strong-willed people.
This film will not be very popular among viewers, but despite small errors, it is still worth watching. And after watching the movie, everyone will answer all the questions in their own way.
If everyone acted like you, there would be no order or justice.
How unexpectedly bronzed Madds Mikkelsen. More recently, this actor furiously enchanted conquering his “fresh” game not only Europe, but also Hollywood. However, this time before the viewer appears the same “cold” and template-filled Hollywood “supernova” as modern Nicholas Cage or Jack Nicholson. Probably, somewhere in Hollywood there is a personal Martian who makes copies of the most talented actors, furiously exploiting them.
The film itself seemed completely inappropriate these days. For all the timeless relevance of the story told by Heinrich von Kleist, the film turned out to be overly academic. Events will develop in a measured and progressive manner, and the only island of sophistication will be the small role of Denis Laban as a theologian. However, is it interesting to watch the viscous medieval drama in the age of iPhones and androids? Hardly. Especially since directing, to put it mildly, is not surprising at all. At the same time, in itself, the plot of a trader who spoke out against injustice and uncleanliness, the nobles could be, with proper study, not just close to the modern viewer - would take for the soul. Before us is not an ordinary example of a “male” rebellion, but a tough in its economic validity clash of elites filled with hints of different interpretations of legal issues. Alas, but the director not only too linear attitude to the film adaptation, thereby giving modernity away from the plot, but also did not reveal to us the character of Kohlhaas.
4 out of 10
The story of the German prose writer, poet and playwright Heinrich von Kleist “Michael Calhaas” is filmed, carefully following the text. Even some scrupulous and meticulous construction of the syllable into flashing pictures on the screen. Most likely, this became possible because of the small literary format of the original source. And the film, like the story, pursues one simple and banal truth - it's all about balance.
In the center of the plot is the honorable citizen, a respected and respectful person around him. He lived an honest and dignified life until trouble came to his house. The setting of this work is an event quite small and everyday, but it will entail much more serious consequences than it may seem from the very beginning.
What is justice? Myth? Fiction? Does it really exist, or is it just a surrogate? The film responds quite clearly and clearly. No, there is justice, just to achieve it is extremely difficult, but stubborn, stubborn and strong people can do it. The theme of justice in the tape is strong. The image of Kohlhaas is the personification of noble human traits, but also the unshakable balance of the world. Because the end of the picture is what it should be. Justice prevailed, but at a bloody and high price, and for every act there is a price. The price of everything is balance. Bright and distinct thought of the tape, which reached its quintessence in the final.
Oddly enough, despite the fact that the action of Michael Kohlhaas takes place in the distant XVI century, the film is relevant for our time, mired in corruption and other unpleasant things. It is relevant for a time that is not much different from the dirty and unwashed Middle Ages: the judicial system is still devoid of special flexibility, powerful people with connections can avoid everything they want, and ordinary people who try to be honest are blown away for everything. Since the publication of the novel by Heinrich von Kleist, a little more than two hundred years have passed, and everything has remained unchanged.
The film can seem sluggish, boring and boring due to the lack of dialogue, a lot of long shots and the constant northern nature, which, as it sometimes seems, the operator likes more than the actors. But, thanks to these things, the right mood is created - the film is cold, northern and harsh. And against the background of unsightly weathered rocks and bare moss, this story about the injustice and balance of the world looks even more advantageous. Strong cinema.
The main gem of the film is Mads Mikkelsen. He's very good at this kind of role. Strong, inflexible, strong-willed people who do not give in to circumstances. Here he is Scandinavian silent and harsh. Sometimes his eyes speak more words. I don’t want to single out other actors. They are organically woven into the narrative, but still somehow lost against the background of Mikkelsen.
Michael Kohlhaas absorbed the formidable nature of the north, its restless winds, human meanness and thirst for justice, and developed an ode to the balance in which the world must abide. Kind of a tape. Definitely an amateur. Its essence is simple and clear, but the way it is presented will not appeal to everyone. But the movie is definitely strong.
The main character fights for what he considers justice, and he will achieve his, only this will not bring happiness to him or his loved ones. Mikkelsen's facial expression in the film's finale well describes the adjective "pathetic." Before you talk about the triumph of justice, you need to understand, is justice a process or a result? If so, what criteria should be used to describe the number of people killed? If the result, it is unlikely that Kohlhaas achieved such a result. Justice was invented by the clergy to lead the flock to submission, and the case of Kohlhaas clearly demonstrates what happens to naive thinkers differently. Plato wrote that equality is just for equals and inequality for unequals. The whole film illustrates this thesis.
To say that the director uses a minimum of means to achieve the goal will be wrong, the director is absent, the film is shot in deliberately dark tones, about what happens in the frame for the most part you have to guess. A few wriggles depict medieval music, it is difficult to say anything about the acting of actors, with the exception of Denis Laban in the role of the theologian, brilliantly smashing to dust all the arguments of Kohlhaas, there is no one else to note. Mikkelsen? If you imagined for a moment that this role was played by another actor, would anyone be interested in a film made this way? Beautiful nature, and the murmur of trickles - that's all the advantages of the film.
The justice for this creation is the absence of awards and further mentions, it is enough to know about this film that it is.
3 out of 10