Out of Tune (2019) Poster

(2019)

User Reviews

Review this title
4 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
5/10
Tried to run with Dark comedy classics...
crazyburn877 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
... but falls flat on its face.

Out of Tune (De frivillige) seems to try and follow the Dark comedy theme that a lot of Danish comedies are known for such as Flickering Lights (Blinkende Lygter), The Green Butchers (De Grønne Slagtere), Adam's Apples (Adams Æbler) and more.

But for this story, the humour is just not there.

The movie takes place in a prison where our protagonist (Markus) is put in remand for financial crimes for a few months before sentencing. While there he gets jumped for owing 3 million to a ganster that does not understand how stocks works.

After this, he accepts to do voluntary isolation even though he does not like the idea of being near sex criminals, who usually take voluntary isolation in order to void the other inmates.

A few weeks after what seems to be a depression Markus accepts to join the prison choir, led by the prisoner Niels, who seems to love the structure and rules in prison more than the free world he came from.

At the moment Markus sets his mind to ending the tyrannical rule of Niels and take over power himself, and it is slowly revealed that Markus the man was not as beloved as he saw himself outside of prison creating a mirror image of his true character.

The social commentary is kinda there but the story is not very entertaining, and the humour is not absurd enough to land the jokes.

If you want to watch a movie where criminals fight with both internal and external forces, and still sympathise with them in the end?

Then find Flickering Lights instead, at least that one got symbolism and funny jokes.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
The lost of power
mmuggi13 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Out of Tune is a prison comedy that is actually a drama in disguise. For the first half hour, I was sure that this film was primarily comedy, but it subsequently develops steadily towards being drama. It puts power lust on display, especially through Markus Føns. One gripe that the film used, which I do not think was the intention, was that one actually thought thoughtfully about what the different characters were imprisoned for. At first I might also have thought that Markus Føns might be innocent, but reality shows his ugly face after half an hour. Surprising film, with good performances from Jacob Lohmann and Anders Matthesen.

The only thing I did not like about the film was its use of Markus Føns' lawyer.
2 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Challenging and interesting film
WillInDenmark7 April 2023
As a fan of Danish cinema, I was excited to watch "Out of Tune" (De Frivillige) and I have to say it didn't disappoint. The movie follows the story of Markus Føns, a businessman who is sent to prison for financial fraud. After being beaten up by other inmates, Markus decides to join the prison choir, led by Niels, as a way to improve his situation.

At its core, "Out of Tune" is a serious drama with some comedic undertones. The film primarily focuses on character development, power struggles, and dialogue. While there are some humorous moments, they serve more as a contrast to the otherwise dark and intense atmosphere of the prison.

One of the standout aspects of the movie is the character of Niels, the unofficial leader of the choir, who is a control freak and likes things done a certain way. He only allows songs from the Danish "Højskolesangbogen" to be sung and insists on doubling the tempo. Markus, on the other hand, sees the choir as his chance to gain some power and influence in the prison. He devises a plan to overthrow Niels and take over the choir and the isolation wing.

The film's humor comes from Markus' awkwardness and bad situational awareness, as well as the peculiar behavior of the prison staff and inmates. However, as the story progresses, Markus' true nature is revealed, and he becomes more manipulative and power-hungry, turning the audience's sympathy towards the other inmates.

Overall, "Out of Tune" is a well-acted and engaging movie that offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of a prison community. The film's focus on character development and power struggles makes for a gripping and intense watch, with the comedic moments providing a much-needed break from the otherwise dark atmosphere. If you're a fan of Danish cinema or enjoy prison dramas, I highly recommend checking out "Out of Tune."
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed