Portland (film)

Portland is a 1996 Danish drama film written and directed by Niels Arden Oplev, in his feature film debut.[3] It stars Anders W. Berthelsen, Ulrich Thomsen, and Iben Hjejle. The film, whose title is a reference to a Danish brand of cement,[1] was selected for competition at the 46th Berlin International Film Festival.[4]

Portland
Film poster
Directed byNiels Arden Oplev
Produced byPeter Aalbæk Jensen
Ib Tardini
Written byNiels Arden Oplev
StarringAnders W. Berthelsen, Ulrich Thomsen, and Iben Hjejle
Music bySons of Cain / Morten Olsen[1]
CinematographyHenrik Jongdahl
Edited byHenrik Fleischer
Production
company
Release date
  • 19 April 1996 (1996-04-19)
Running time
103 minutes[1]
CountryDenmark
LanguageDanish

Plot

The film is set in northern Denmark[3] and depicts the "violent drug-fueled adventures of two brothers, Janus (Anders Wodskou Berthelsen) and Jakob (Michael Muller) at the bottom of Denmark's social ladder."[1]

Cast
  • Anders W. Berthelsen as Janus
  • Michael Muller as Jakob, the brother of Janus
  • Ulrich Thomsen as Lasse, the gang leader
  • Iben Hjejle as Eva, the sister of Lasse
  • Birthe Neumann as Lasse's mother
  • Baard Owe as Kaj
  • Edith Thrane as Mrs. Eriksen
  • Helle Dolleris as Irene
  • Susanne Birkemose Kongsgaard as Minna
  • Karsten Belsnæs as Kenneth
  • Preben Raunsbjerg as Johnny

Reception

Stephen Holden called the film "blood-chilling" with the "feel of a nihilistic prank. But although flashy, it has fundamental weaknesses. Partly because the actor playing him has no dramatic range, the transformation of Jakob from softhearted reform-school punk into sadistic iron man isn't the slightest bit convincing. Mr. Berthelsen's lank-haired, pill-popping Janus, however, is all too real. As this connoisseur of pain punches and lurches his way through the film, you see exactly how antisocial impulses can be warped into a code of outlaw values."[1]

David Stratton called it "violent, nihilistic and often repellent, and yet its bold visuals and unexpected elements of humor and romance make it riveting viewing."[2] According to Stratton, "as a director, Oplev shows he has talent: his mixture of moods works well, he gets strong performances from most cast members, and he pushes the narrative along at an urgent pace....But as a writer, he’s less successful; it’s surely not enough these days for Janus to blame his lifestyle on a lack of mother's love (which he does) or to have characters utter corny lines like “It’s us against the world.” There’s also far too much unmotivated violence (Janus assaulting a shopping mall security guard is a totally unnecessary sequence) and a few cheap and obvious jokes at the expense of authority figures."[2]

gollark: What even *is* this?
gollark: Why is there a folder labelled "Crystals" containing "NASA REPORTS"?
gollark: Also, morbid curiosity.
gollark: I think I actually just said that it didn't work.
gollark: Even asking what?

References
  1. Holden, Stephen (28 May 1997). "Crime, Drugs, Brutality and Love". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  2. Stratton, David. "Review: 'Portland'". Variety. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  3. "Niels Arden Oplev, director". DragonTattooFilm.com. Music Box Films. 2010. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  4. "Berlinale: 1996 Programme". berlinale.de. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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