REVIEW: IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: HANS PETTER MOLAND / SCREENPLAY: KIM FUPZ AAKESON / STARRING: STELLAN SKARSGÅRD, BRUNO GANZ, PÅL SVERRE HAGEN / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
In Order of Disappearance is a smart revenge thriller with a healthy dose of black comedy.
Nils (Skarsgård) is a snow-plough driver in Norway, leading a fairly quiet and productive existence that results in him being awarded a Citizen of the Year prize. When his innocent son is murdered by a drugs gang, a suicidal Nils sets out for revenge. The premise is basic but effective – and contains some clever plot twists along the way. Against the stunning backdrop of the snowy Norwegian mountains, Nils begins a bloody journey that sees him take on a psychotic drug lord known as the Count (Hagen) and a Serbian crime boss called Papa (Ganz).
Skarsgård comes across as a Swedish Liam Neeson in action that wouldn’t look out of place in a Tarantino movie. He doesn’t ham it up but shows the disenchantment, tiredness and determination of a man who wants justice. Ganz is magnificent as always and there is a great variety of supporting characters who each have their moments, with some intelligently written dialogue.
The film contains several quirky touches – including humorous title credits – to offset the moments of drama, tragedy and conflict, and Morland seems to hint at some hidden metaphors (a waterfall for one). The ending may be strange for some, but this is a movie as fresh as the snow that fills it.
Expected Rating: 7 out of 10
Actual Rating:
