Review of Headhunters (2011) by Richard I — 09 Aug 2018

In attempting to be both a noir and a man-on-the-run thriller, "Headhunters" already has big shoes to fill, but when the pitch is to also add in a couple hints of Guy Ritchie and "The Thomas Crown" affair, now you're just talking crazy.

Well, "Headhunters" is nothing short of just that -- craziness. Director Morten Tyldum, performers Aksel Hennie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and chief screenwriters Lars Gudmestad and Ulf Ryberg, take this Jo Nesbo story of excess, hubris, and danger, and elevate to the heights of cinematic confection.

This is a richly over-the-top, yet still nail-bitingly thrilling caper with enough twists and caveats to keep glued to the screen for (what I hoped would end up being) a three-and-a-half hour affair. And though it sadly comes in at just under two, boy, is it a ride to remember.