Review of Pusher III (2005) by Alex A — 02 Oct 2011

The bookend of Refn's drug dealing trilogy. I have to say I was surprised at the arch of the films. They get more and more character based, and slower by film. I expected to see the beginnings of the austere violence Refn has made his own. These films are much more realistic, containing naturalistic performances, and gritty tones.

The third chapter follows Milo, the biggest dealer in town, and the only character to be in all 3 movies. Milo is getting old, and there is a reason you never see old drug dealers. Either you have an empire or you die.

The young dealers are threatening to swallow Milo up. Milo is old, fat, and a junkie. He tries to stay clean, and goes to NA meetings. Milo is losing the status he once had.

The film takes place in a 24 hour time period. It is his spoiled daughters birthday. He is cooking for 50 people. He is stressed. Avoiding that soothing hit. Like all the films, a deal goes wrong.

He goes from smoking heroin, to killing two men, and essentially a third. You could say he had a bad night. There is an especially long sequence showing how to string up, drain, and gut a human body. It's presented naturally. Which makes it gruesome but also a bit slow.

The comparison can be made to Godfather 3. But Milo does not seek to atone, he is tired and wasted by life. There is no redemption to be found here. Actually Milo is likely doomed afterward. But maybe not. Goodnight is good morning in Danish.