Review of Pusher (1996) by Stu N — 09 Apr 2009

A gritty film, featuring gangsters, prostitutes, eurotrash, and other assorted low-lifes, this one is definitely a guy film. Frank is a Copenhagen drug dealer with serious intimacy issues. When nailed by the cops, Frank is able to dump the goods into the lake, but, back on the street, he is in serious trouble because he still owes a Serbian mobster for the drugs.

Frank may be tough, but the dudes to whom he owes money are definitely tougher, so Frank had better watch out for his knee caps and fingers! Filmed with a handheld, and using primarily ambient sound, the film has a documentary style, with the camera following Frank through every scene.

Kim Bodnia plays Frank intense and glowering and Laura Drasbæk is totally convincing as his prostitute girlfriend. Zlatko Buric and Slavko Labovic are a hoot as the amiable Serbian gangster and his enforcer, and Mads Mikkelsen is an effective side kick and foil for Frank.

I look forward to seeing the the sequel, released in 2004.