182: Flame & Citron

Flame and Citron (R) - 2009 - Runtime: 130 minutes
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thure Lindhardt, Stine Stengade
Director: Ole Christian Madsen

I was really intrigued by this movie when I saw the trailer for it before some other DVD that I rented a while back. I'm always up for a World War II-themed movie and this Denmark import had enough pizazz in its trailer to make me really want to see it. And I'm certainly glad I did, although at times it was hard to get through.

I really like movies that take actual events and people and either fictionalize the story or at least tell the true story in a unique way (It's the same way with books - I've become really interested in this sort of fiction, Drood being my latest obsession). The movie tells about the most famous Danish resistance fighters during WWII and the lives they led. They're both good at what they do - dispatching Gestapo members and taking out the Nazi regime that occupied their country. Against this backdrop, they get involved in a series of targets that leads both of them to question who's really the enemy and who they can really trust. It's a good tale to tell - it's not only a war film, but a good noir film with enough twists to keep you guessing as to what will happen next.

For the most part I really enjoyed the movie. Mads Mikkelsen, best known for his role as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, does a fantastic job of portraying a hero that struggles with his own inner demons and being a good husband and father. The other role, Flame, is played by Thure Lindhardt (who had a small role in Angels & Demons) who does a pretty good job of being a cold-blooded killer when he needs to be. But even though I enjoyed most of the movie, there were times where I struggled because I just wanted it to get on with the plot. It isn't exactly well-paced and at times it does seem sluggish. But it's not enough for it to detract from a pleasurable experience.

If you haven't got your fill of WWII movies yet, this one is a pretty decent one - it's got some action and the noir elements are a nice touch. It's well acted and I'd recommend renting it, so check it out!

Rating: Rent It!