Review of The Hunt (2013) by Gavin P — 14 Feb 2014

The Hunt is a film that is the originality we haven't seen in a long time in film; it relies on zero gimmicks that make it original, it just is. In simple terms, a preschool instructor named Lucas played by Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) is wrongly accused by a little girl of pedophilia which sets the entire small town against him.

Director Thomas Vinterberg illustrates how the opinion is more important than anything in society, and how this opinion can radically be influenced by one person. Lucas is a non-conformist and that is why the allegations pit against him make the town not even doubt his culpability; he is a single male preschool teacher.

Vinterberg also asks us what friendship means and how we are alone yet not alone. His best friend does not even try to understand that he may be innocent, and equally, his best man believes him and comes to his aid.

His ex-wife does not want anything to do with him, but on the other hand, his son is completely devoted to him. Milkensen's harrowing performance is awesome since he can play a character who is constantly transforming drastically throughout the film and can convey everything with his gaze.

I cannot remember a time since 2006's Volver by Pedro Almodovar that I enjoyed a foreign film more. Hands down a masterpiece and already, a classic.