Review of Nightwatch (1997) by Alison O — 09 Jun 2004

Best in Show: Ewan McGregor (despite dodgy accent).

One for the future: Josh Brolin.

Stand-out scene: Red alert!

Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

TV.

The original, low budget Danish version (also directed by Ole Bomedal) was released in the UK in '96. As was the case with The Vanishing and countless other remakes, its original incarnation got the best reviews and the new version was much delayed by the distributors leading to speculation about its quality. It turns out to be a fairly entertaining thriller with a chilling atmosphere and several moments of nail-biting tension. McGregor (who here swaps his Scottish brogue for a 'transatlantic' drawl) made this between Brassed Off and The Serpent's Kiss. He plays a student who takes the job of a morgue nightwatchman to fund his studies. When strange things start occuring during his shifts a cycle of murder begins and the young student finds himself squarely in the frame. His suspicions fall on his best friend (Josh Brolin - the cool older brother in his debut The Goonies) whose behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic. With Patricia Arquette as his girlfriend and Nick Nolte and James C. Reilly as homicide cops this has a truly A1 cast. A good enough movie to make you want to seek out the source material.