Flickering Lights (2000) User Reviews

An original, fabulous genre hybrid

[fertilecelluloid · 9/10 · 15 May 2005]

Quite exceptional Danish genre hybrid from director Anders Thomas Jensen. It has a maturity and confidence about it that is rare and surreal comedic aspects that reminded me of the wonderful ANTONIA'S LINE.

Four emotionally unstable criminals, led by Torkild, commit a robbery to repay a large debt to The Eskimo, a violent, murderous thug. Instead of delivering the loot, the men flee to the countryside where they begin a new life.

A threadbare synopsis does no justice to this wonderfully rich and magical film which expertly blends brutal violence, the blackest of humour and Roald Dahl-style childhood flashbacks to tell a fascinating, highly original story.

The characterizations are brilliant and the producers deserve a medal for having the courage to attempt a piece so violent (at times) and so utterly human.

Although all performances are wonderful, a special mention must go to Ole Thestrup who plays local game hunter Alfred. His reaction to an offer of firearms in exchange for the life of his cow is priceless.

An absolute winner and a perceptive reflection on happiness, love, friendship and identity.

One of the best films I've seen

[alpalmer · 8/10 · 9 August 2005]

I purchased this film on DVD, with little knowledge of what it was about, because of a liking for the actors Søren Pilmark and Mads Mikkelsen. I'd seen Pilmark in "Riget" and Mikkelsen in "King Arthur", so I thought this would be worth buying.

The only complaint I have about the North American DVD version is that the subtitles are not always very good. I appreciate that the translator was likely trying to make some references so the non-Danish audience could understand it, but please do not reference Six Flags, Disneyland or "too many Canucks" when neither are mentioned. (Unfortunately I don't know enough Danish to figure out what they're really saying, but I certainly didn't hear Disneyland, Six Flags, or Canucks in that!) I found the story engaging, and not at all slow. It seemed to start off as a gangster film, and while I like some gangster films, I was glad that this one took a different twist.

I am impressed with the director/writer, and all the actors. This film was excellent, and I'd highly recommend it to all!

Subtitles

[jo-wiltshire · 8/10 · 19 August 2006]

I love this film, but I agree that the American subtitles are dreadful. I can understand a bit of Danish and I was watching it with a Danish speaker, so that helped, but actually the timing of the subtitles ruined half the jokes entirely. And if you're not American or Danish then the cultural references in the subtitles are completely baffling.

For reference: -"Disney Land" is used to translate "Tivoli", a very old and beautiful theme park in central Copenhagen. -"Six flags" is used to translate "Bakken", another old, but more down market theme park just outside Copenhagen. -"Canucks" is apparently a derogatory term for Canadians. It is used here to translate "Svenskere" (Swedes). -"Newport", apparently a port town in Rhode Island, is used to translate "Fredericia", another port town, but in eastern Jylland (Jutland).

original, philosophical and funny

[kaaber-2 · 10/10 · 1 November 2000]

"Blinkende Lygter" ('blinking lights') is extremely original in its odyssey through several genres; starting off as a gangster movie, passing close by a road movie (until the car breaks down), and then completely shifting pace and content in a very surprising and humorous way. Although criticized for its violent scenes, BL is actually a highly philosophical study of the various faces of violence, from the off-hand unnecessary (although not gratuitous) violence, to acts of violence accepted by society. First of all, the dialogue is so funny that the movie has to be seen at least twice if one is to catch the very serious message that lies beyond. One of the best Danish films ever. Anders Thomas Jensen is definitely a filmmaker to look out for.

So Funny!

[damestjernelys · 8/10 · 29 April 2005]

From the first few minutes, up until the end of the film, I was laughing... hard. The characters are definitely amusing (though a bit off), and all of the hang-ups they face along the way just add to the humour. Yes, there are parts of the film which can be quite sad, especially if one can relate in any way to them, but by and large, this is a very funny film that is definitely worth the DVD rental. The violence is comical, the struggles are comical, even the arguments are comical. They really did a good job with the casting and the writer did an excellent job with the script. I am usually not a fan of Danish films (even though I live in Denmark), but this film is the exception. It's a definite must see, no matter where in the world one happens to live.

A lot of intranslatable humour

[henrik-rasch · 10 November 2008]

A lot of the humour in this extremely funny movie cannot be translated into English. One example: At one point Stefan is caught crying while reading a poem from the book that lends it title to the entire film. This causes some scepticism among his friends, who asks him exactly what he is reading. He then says that the book is written by one "Ove Ditlevsen". To a danish audience it is obvious, that the book actually is by the famous danish (female) author "Tove Ditlevsen", but none of our heroes seems to know her. The sensitive Stefan is backed up by Thorkil who insists that "Actually Ove Ditlevsen is one of this country's finest authors".

The food might be bad...

[Bantam · 6/10 · 13 August 2015]

...but the owners are a hoot.

I'll make this quick: This is one of them totally underrated flicks you either stumble upon or overlook them entirely.

It starts out as a small-time gangster flick. And develops into a comedy/drama that is actually very touching and most certainly does rind with almost all of us.

Imagine: You get the chance to get out of your stagnant daily grind. What would you do? This group of small-time criminals get that chance and they try to get even with their past. All main protagonists did have some serious bumps in their youth (and later on) that left them somewhat damaged. When they get a chance to turn their lives around they grab it and go for it. A much better message than the hollow "live your dream" mantra.

The only shortcoming of the movie are some of the more naive characters. The acting is decent, setting and story go okay. All in all a well done Scandinavian flick (Dansk made, to be precise). Go and give it a try.

Sublime movie

[Treacle-A · 10/10 · 24 March 2015]

I saw 'Blinkende Lygter' after watching first 'Adam's Apple's' and then 'The Green Butchers', so effectively in reverse order! The thing that captivates me so much about Jensen's writer/directorial outings is the wonderfully individual black humour he brings to the screen. It took me three movies to realise that he reminds me a great deal of Beat Takeshi, in fact this movie - "Flickering Lights" - reminded me a lot of "Sonatine", my favourite of all Beat's movies. The theme was very similar; a criminal gang run away to live in seclusion in the countryside and come to a better understanding of who they are and what they really want. There's a gentle, subtle affection that bonds the four men together - despite their violent occupation and chaotic lives - and the sense that they all share a common need for family, stability and purpose they together they realise they can provide for each other.

More than anything I thought this was a wonderful film about male friendships and how important it is for men to support each other in their endeavours. And, although Torvild initially goes off selfish and half-cocked in his plans, as the dad of the group he ultimately gets everyone what they need and keeps his family together. Heartwarming and hilarious. One I will re-watch many times.

Entertaining

[AKS-6 · 6/10 · 28 July 2001]

This Danish movie has received great reviews here in Sweden, so when I saw it at the video store I thought I should rent it. I was not disappointed, Blinkende lygter was a very entertaining film. We have seen most of it before, but the whole restaurant business was really funny and original. The best scenes in the film: the absurd childhood memories -- especially the one including an apple tree and a seriously disturbed father. One question, though: What's up with those round windows? There were so many round windows in the film that I actually started to notice them. Some hidden meaning? :-)

Overall, an entertaining film. (6/10)

Entertaining and brilliant.

[ks4 · 8/10 · 12 April 2004]

This movie is one of those that will always be remembered in danish film history, it's a unique product written by the single most talented manuscript writer in Denmark, he simply appears to be writing by far the larger part of the succesfull movies the later years, and this is no difference, he even instructed it also, and it is both, original, funny, thoughtfull and just generally entertaining.

Thorkild, Arne, Peter and and Stefan are 4 smalltime criminals that has known each other their entire adult life, they all have a troubled past behind them, but as Thorkild turns 40 they are into serious problems with the local gangster, they are forced to do a larger job for this gangster to pay debts, and finds a suitcase containing 4million danish Kr. After some discussion they decide to run off to Barcelona with the money, but underway their car breaks down and they get stuck in a house, which was a former resteraunt, here their reconstruction begins.

Flickering Lights, or Blinkende Lygter as i know it as, is simply a great and unique movie, it is however part of the revolutional movies that are coming from everywhere these days in Denmark, mainly written by Anders Thomas Jensen, this is similar to movies like "I Kina Spiser De Hunde", the language in the movie roughly takes advantage of the small slang words and funny things we use, it's very realistic rather than the normalized boring movie language that sometime appears, it's a fresh breath. The movie itself is very unique and has some moments that will never be forgotten, some very funny moments, and i'm sure everyone that has seen the movie will never forget the scene where Thorkilds is blowing eggs.

The directing of this movie is rather strong, although rather anonymous, there aren't many scenes where it really shines through, but it works pretty well all the way through, although there is some alternative camera work with the flashback scene, but the strength of the movie doesn't lie in the directing, on another note it doesn't bring it down either.

The acting in this movie is simply, just amazingly brilliant, especially Mads Mikkelsen shines through as the numb shooting freak, Arne, that is one amazing performance never to be forgotten, and he also makes for some memorable scenes, for example when he shoots a cow, Denmark will never forget that scene. But also the other 3 main roles are fantastic, the acting is very proffesional and it feels like the actors very easily connects with their character, which makes for a very belivable film and avoids awkward moments due to awkward acting, simply, just great.

However as usual i can put when Anders Thomas Jensen have written the movie i can put a finger down and say, this is the movies strength, becuase his manuscripts are just so damn good, and i love his excellent raw use of the danish language, that is what he does so damn great, and he's been doing it great a lot of times now.

This movie has its smaller flaws that keeps it from being a superb masterpiece, but it's still a fantastic piece of movie and now i wonder why i didn't give it a higher vote, however i think the movie somewhere has small flaws that keeps it down a little, but strange enough i don't really know which, maybe i need to watch it again, however i give my vote with an arrow up.

8/10

Flickering Lights by Ove Ditlevsen

[mmuggi · 7/10 · 22 November 2020]

Flickering Lights is Anders Thomas Jensen's feature film debut, and he is so lucky to have some of the best Danish actors of the time in the film. The film is part of the wave of films in the late 90s - early 00s, which surged across Denmark with its dark comic action. But where some films lingered to be just that, Flickering Lights is also a study of how traumatic childhoods affect people far into the future.

Although the above may sound a bit student-like, Anders Thomas Jensen manages to keep the film down to a level so that the underlying meaning of the film does not clash with its tone. Because it's funny - even though it sometimes drowns a little in its own humor.

Hollywood - Go Home!!!

[leif-kjaer · 9/10 · 22 April 2001]

This is one of the funniest movies I have seen for a long time - and yet with a depth you would not expect from a movie like this. This bunch of criminal outcast with personal problems and skeletons in their childhood cupboards manage to form a true friendship and community far from the environment they are used to.

The movie is stacked with strong action and actors: Pilmark is over the top as raw, but yet soft gangleader, Mikkelsen as psycho-gunman, Thomsen as TV-drama-loving drug-addict and Lie-Kaas as the eternal snack-eating soft guy. Even the supporting cast does a good job - just to mention Thestrup as the weapon-crazy farmer and Helmuth as movie history's greatest alcoholic doctor - and do not forget Graaboel as Lie-Kaas annoying and "normal" girlfriend.

Funniest scene: shooting cows in the forest - my God, I was rolling on the floor of laughter.

The light at the end of their tunnel

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 7 August 2023]

"Blinkende lygter" or "Flickering Lights" is a co-production between Denmark and Sweden from the first year of the new millennium, so this is almost a quarter of a century old now already. The focus is pretty much entirely on Denmark here though if we look at who made this film, the cast, where the film is set and also the language. The writer and director here is Anders Thomas Jensen and at that point he already had three Oscar nominations, including one win, for his short films, even if he was still clearly under the age of 30. Big early breakthrough and as a consequence it did not take long until he moved on to full feature films. This wasn't even his first. Or second I think. "In China They Eat Dogs" (looks like Jensen has a special connection with animals) is a film that many have seen as well, including myself, and I was a bit disappointed that it was not part of this recent Danish film series shown in one of my favorite movie theaters, but at least this one here was, a film I had not been familiar with before. Surely my loss as I was nicely entertained here and as the cast unites some of Denmark's most famous actors, I am surprised I did not come across it earlier. The quartet in the lead here includes Ulrich Thomsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas who have been among the country's most successful performers for a long time. They may be no superstars on the level of Mads Mikkelsen (007 movie, Fantastic Beasts...), but have achieved fame in many countries outside Denmark too. Just look at Thomsen's Oscar-winning movie for example. Mikkelsen is Scandinavia's finest at this point and if he is in a movie, you can always be sure that it won't be a bad film. He has worked with Jensen on other occasions too, for example on a western I adored. I think that Mikkelsen had his breakthrough back in the 1990s with "Pusher" and perhaps that film also helped him in getting cast for "Flickering Lights".

The only one from the quartet I cannot say much about is Søren Pilmark, even if he has had a lengthy career as well. Less known than the other three. This is a bit of a pity because I thought he maybe gave the best performance here. Physically, he reminded me of Michael Keaton. There were many interesting moments, but one that stayed on my mind is from the very start when we see him right in front of the camera and two others are in the back beating up a man who accidentally showed up with a wrong delivery of cigarettes. This was funny when they said that nobody is gonna buy all this stuff. Menthol cigarettes I think it was. But Pilmark's character is the leader of the gang and he let the boys have some fun in the background. In general, this film reminded me a bit of "Reservoir Dogs" if we look at the overall combination of crime and (dark) comedy. Another really great example from early on is the scene with the surprise birthday party when one character accidentally shoots a wine or champagne bottle. You will surely have a lot to laugh here. As for Mikkelsen, he plays quite a brute in here. We understand he does not have a family and is a bit lost, but his outbursts felt funny with the aforementioned beating and he is about to beat up one of his pals too when he finds out that the guy called somebody that might help the bad guys locate them. The really bad guys you could say, including the "Eskimo". Back then, it was still alright to use the term. As for Mikkelsen's Arne, his maybe funniest moment was the return from the forest. He seemed to have found his passion and literally raided half the forest from animals with all he hunted down. Oh well, they can use most of it at the restaurant. And I found this scene pretty funny despite my gigantic love for animals and long history of vegetarianism. Don't get offended guys, just enjoy the show and of course this also applies to jokes about other areas where political correctness comes into play. Social justice warriors better stop whining, no matter if the subject is gender equality, racial discrimination or LBGT rights.

But now back to this film here: Thomsen you are maybe used to seeing as some family dad as that is a bit of his trademark role, but here he plays a totally different character, namely a drug-addict who is also fairly violent. He joined in early on when Mikkelsen's character beat up the courier. Despite how violent some of these scenes were, you can always see how the protagonists are not interested in cold-blooded shooting and killing. They only use their fists and occasionally knives. Okay, when being attacked by guys with guns, they don't hesitate to use theirs either. So yes, there is a lot of blood. It is not a harmless film. I have not yet mentioned Nikolaj Lie Kaas's role and you can sometimes wonder why he is part of the gang because he does not seem to be a violent fella, but much more interested in eating all the time. When they break into a place, his first destination is the fridge. He is also the one with a bit of a romance story and his wife shows up at the hideout even and causes some mayhem. I am sure some of the aforementioned gender justice warriors got so mad when the leader of the gang slaps her. How dare he? She is pregnant! Just kidding, with her permanent provocations she really had it coming. The entire scenario with the guys and the eggs there was hilarious anyway. Some great situational comedy in this film. By the way, said leader of the gang has also a minor romance story, but in the end we see his woman is with another guy and that is alright. Here in my country, we would not be allowed to cheer for a guy who slaps women or in the end we would have had him get together again with his girlfriend from the start. Everything needed to be fixed and this is why German film in general right now (and maybe also already back in 2000) really sucks compared to Danish film. Nikolaj Lie Kaas' character also decides against his pregnant girlfriend to stay with the boys. The gang leader was right in knowing he would return.

Why NLK is with these three other more violent folks in the first place is something we find out during flashbacks. We get one for each character from their youth and there is always an escalation, be it a father slapping his son, a girl struggling with pregnancy or an apple tree conflict. This escalation results in the quartet sitting next to each other back when they were boys, so coincidence united them back in the day and they stayed not only in touch with each other, but kept working together in the decades since then. The friendship remains, which is fairly nice to see. They overcame occasional issues with each other. There was not a lot that I did not like here. Overall, I was well-entertained. Maybe the idea how the title was created was not great as I did not find the moment here too emotional, true or philosophical even. Not significant enough. I prefer to think of the title as a description of the main characters. Another thing I found cool was the inclusion of Barcelona as I went there not too long ago, but yeah, eventually this city did not play a major role here as the guys realize that staying in the forest with their own restaurant was what they really wanted. Even Mikkelsen's character who loved the Barcelona idea early on. He also came back after running into the cattle owner. Quite a way to strike a friendship if it all started by one shooting the other's cows. There was a trail of cow corpses even there we realize a little later. This really made it impossible for me to like Mikkelsen's character at all and it was also sad in a way, but also solid black comedy how it was handled there. We see the face expression of disbelief there in Pilmark's character's face and this was one that really stayed memorable on quite a few occasions. In general, the idea of characters evoking disbelief in one another. Nicely handled and very entertaining.

It was also done right at the ending in terms of story writing. The four of them are not superb cooks all of a sudden, but it's rather the local charm and maybe also the lack of other restaurants in the area that made the concept work. Nice framework also with the beginning. Or look at the scene when the "Eskimo" shows up towards the end and is ready to kill everybody. How he wants them armed with forks and spoons etc. Because he does not kill the unarmed. Well, somebody surely was armed there. Did he bring the AK-47? It surely was not that Israeli military pistol. How did the guy get this firearm anyway with which he then blows all the (really) bad guys away in the end? But it was nice that they did not include Nikolaj Lie Kaas' character there to come rescue everybody, but he just stayed the simpleton that he was before that mostly already and got controlled by the "Eskimo" and his folks right away. Then again, if we look at who came and saved them there, this was also evidence of how their socializing during the brief stay there already paid off and even saved their lives. Had they been on their own, nobody could have saved them. This is surely a central message from the move. Overall, there were many enjoyable aspects and I am glad that this film got made and also that I got to watch it last night. Don't regret going one bit and it was decent closure to the Danish film series I have been watching on quite a few occasions this first month of 2023. I think I would put this film into the top5 of movies I have watched since New Year's Eve. It's not too important if you like Mikkelsen and/or any of the other people in here, but more important that you like crime movies and also that dark comedy is up your alley and also that you do not despise movie violence. If at least 2 out of 3 apply for you there, then you should give it a chance. Here and there, I was considering giving out 4 stars out of 5 even, but in the end, I just have to stay with 3 and it feels accurate. More maybe if I ever rewatch. The positive recommendation was absolutely never in doubt though.

Marx Brothers up to date

[Chris_Docker · 5/10 · 20 February 2007]

This is a black comedy from one of Denmark's prolific screenwriters and his first as Director. Jensen's writing accomplishments include several Dogme95 films, the Scottish comedy Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself by Lone Scherfig, and in 2006 helping create the characters for a second Scottish hit, Red Road.

The story starts with some small-time crooks receiving a lorryload of illegal cigarettes. They turn out to be the wrong sort. Menthol. Who smokes menthol? An air of almost Marx Brothers comedy turns briefly Tarantino-esqe as they beat the hell out of the lorry-driver with a nonchalance that allows comic dialogue to continue uninterrupted.

At a surprise birthday party, the gangleader almost shoots someone by mistake, and has to pass off an AK-47 birthday present as a toy to non-crim guests. But he's being hunted by the 'Eskimo' - the big boss to whom he owes money. As part of the pay-off he does a job that accidentally reveals a massive stash of loot. Instead of handing it over he goes on the run with his numbskull buddies. Clichéd or predictable devices, like a getaway car that breaks down, are balanced by a fast, witty and inventive script that constantly shifts between slapstick and violence. A wounded crook yells, "I need food! I need a bath! I need some coke!"

They hide out in a dilapidated restaurant in a wood, which they eventually re-decorate and make a disastrous attempt at running as a business, dogged by the violence of their natures, mishaps and external events. "Whose blood is it?" "Oh, just some customers."

Jokes are low-brow but delight audiences easily enough to give the film international appeal. "Can you f*ck like that when you're pregnant? Won't the kid get it right on the head?" The title refers to the glimpses of the dim past - often shown in flashbacks (to explain why the characters are so screwed up). Acting is first rate and there's some fine photography. Although there was a constant ripple of laughter in the audience at the screening I attended, this particular mix of realistic, rather gratuitous violence and comedy was not to my taste, but I hope that won't dissuade others from enjoying it.

Fine Comedy

[magusachan · 8/10 · 16 November 2004]

Personally, what I do is try to watch a movie without having heard any details on the storyline before - so, I am not going to spoil anything here.

'Flickering Lights' is a well-made comedy about a couple of gangsters & despite of its partly violent scenes, it also shows human weakness and pain. Furthermore the movie tells the viewer how the four guys met and why their childhood experience made it impossible for them to lead a normal adolescence.

Compared to 'i kina spiser de hunde' (In China They Eat Dogs) which was also written by Anders Thomas Jensen, I think that 'Flickering Lights' deals with the personal tragedies in a better way and reaches to touch the viewer while 'i kina..' did not really moved me.

If you liked Las Van Trier's 'Idiots' and Vinterberg's 'Festen' (Celebration) you will recognize a couple of actors (Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Thomas Bo Jarsen, Ulrich Thomsen) - and although 'Flickering Lights' is not a DOGMA movie, a certain atmosphere made me remember the typical Swedish/Danish movie aura.

Great film - give it a try when you are in the mood for something different than the stereotypical Hollywood movie.

Much better the second time.

[Icewall · 10/10 · 28 April 2001]

As I saw this movie, in cinema, I though it was funny, but in no way a match for "I Kina Spiser De Hunde" (1999). However, after re-watching in now, on DVD, I can say that I think much higher of it. Plenty of cool one-liners. An absurd, but still nice story-line. In fact, it was the absurdness that was the real humor of the flick. Immoral and violent? Definately, but that also makes it allot funnier. I had to give it 9/10, because it is definately worth several re-watchings. Fun for most of the family.

While far from perfect, it was an interesting little comedy

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 3 April 2007]

In many ways, this film reminded me of the classic Hollywood film LARCENY INCORPORATED with Edward G. Robinson. In this 1940s film, a small gang of crooks buy a luggage store in order to tunnel from the basement into the nearby bank--the only trouble is that after a while they find that they enjoy the business and they start to make money so they decide to go straight! In BLINKENDE LYGTER, you also have a small gang that initially does something VERY stupid--they steal a suitcase for their boss, a very dangerous crook, but impulsively run away instead of delivering it when they discover it's full of cash. Their plans to run to Barcelona, though, fall through when their vehicle breaks down and they are stuck in the middle of no where. They take shelter in an old abandoned inn and when they are discovered by a neighbor, they panic and say they are there because they are re-opening the inn. Since they are hiding out but don't want to draw suspicion, they begin going through the motions of restoring the old home, but after a while this group's leader, Torkild, decides they should actually stay and try to run the inn after all! But considering none of them know how to cook AND they are all very screwed up people AND a mob boss has sworn to find them and kill them, it's definitely an uphill battle!

While the film was at times pretty funny, it wasn't exactly a comedy since there were some pretty brutal moments, there was a lot of pretty adult language and situations and the film took some awfully serious diversions--showing flashbacks intended to explain why the four crooks chose a life of crime. As for me, these all tended to blunt the comedic impact of the film and probably could have been a more successful film if it had avoided the serious moments--particularly the flashbacks. Still, it's unique enough and offers some bizarrely funny moments--such as the amazing way the four eventually deal with the man looking to kill them. A very good Danish film that is worth a look.

Alternative draft of "I Kina Spiser De Hunde"

[gut-6 · 8/10 · 13 April 2006]

I enjoyed this movie, like I enjoyed everything I've seen by Anders Thomas Jensen. The comments here suggest that Danes are somewhat deprecatory about the general quality of Danish films, but most of the Danish films with international distribution in recent years have been truly outstanding. Maybe it's because we who live outside Denmark don't get to see the awful Danish films. However I have also seen much of the recent cinematic output of Sweden and Germany, and even the internationally released stuff is mostly crap.

In any case, "Flickering Lights" is another outstanding Jensen film, but very derivative of the previous year's "I Kina Spiser De Hunde". Again you have the post-Tarantino world of four ultraviolent but quirky and amusing gangsters. As in "I Kina", again you have the sentimental gangsters trying to turn a new leaf and do good deeds. Again they are thwarted by their psychosis, incompetence, and by the fact that they have double-crossed another bunch of even more vicious gangsters. Again the gangsters work as cooks. Again their sentimentality causes them to dissipate their earnings from a robbery. Again the film closes with a bloody shootout in a bar. Again there is a quasi-sentimental ending undermined by hilariously vicious irony.

Despite the similarities of scenario, there is no repetition of dialogue from the earlier film. Jensen is again very funny and original with his dialogue and details. This film, though, seems more parochial in its references, and there seems more that non-Danes would have trouble understanding. Still, it's well worth checking this one out. It's head and shoulders above the other rubbish out there.

gang of foolish

[dromasca · 7/10 · 11 December 2021]

'Blinkende lygter' (the English title is 'Flickering Lights') is the first feature film by Danish filmmaker Anders Thomas Jensen, who, by the time the movie was made in the year 2000, had already started a prolific screenwriting career. He continued in this direction, being the author of scripts for over 50 films so far, while as a director he has made only 5 films in 21 years. 'Flickering Lights' already demonstrates professionalism and originality. We find in this film bizarre characters, to whom we will discover the history and motives of the behavior, and the absurd but human comic situations that will be repeated and amplified in the following films. And we find Mads Mikkelsen, the formidable actor who is not missing from the credits of any of Anders Thomas Jensen's films.

We can tell from the opening scene that we are dealing with a gangsters movie, but not an ordinary one. Imagine a Marx brothers movie directed by Quentin Tarantino and sprinkled with Danish humor. The heroes are a gang of four criminals who can't help but toughly beat those who get in their way, excepting the cases when they shoot them or fight each other. Two of them seem to consider quitting their jobs (cherchez les femmes!) and returning to a normal life, but for that they need money, so another 'hit'. The third seems incorrigible in his passion for firearms, and the fourth has his problems, including a bullet in the stomach. When the gang gets in trouble with other gangsters worse than themselves and have to flee, the opportunity to change the course of their lives is offered by the the unexpected hiding in an abandoned restaurant in a forest. Will the four of them turn into peaceful restaurant owners? The movie is just starting here.

The combination of violent gangsters movies and absurd comedy with strange characters doing terrible things, but which the audience can't help but sympathize with, has been working well since this first film by the director. Anders Thomas Jensen will perfect it in the next films. His heroes always have surprises in store. Søren Pilmark plays the role of the gang leader, with Mads Mikkelsen, Ulrich Thomsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas in the other three gang members roles. All are actors with whom Jensen will work in the films that will follow in his career as a director. By hazard of programming, I've seen four of his films in reverse chronological order. This debut film already has all the characteristics of its directorial style. The only obvious flaw in the film, in my opinion, can be found the script. The four stories about childhood traumas that are the motivations of the characters' actions seemed too similar and too didactic. But it is not enough to deprive us of the pleasure of watching.

Eccentric and overtly funny - Denmark's answer to" Lock Stock and Two Smoking barrels" with a different Taste

[ajit2106 · 8/10 · 24 October 2011]

"Flickering Lights" directed by Anders Thomas Jensen who is great talent worldwide. He is brilliant director (Adam's Apples, the Green Butchers) and a great story and screenplay writer (In a Better World, After the Wedding, The Duchess, Brothers).

"Flickering Lights" is an allegory of slapstick humor; every content of a great movie with fantastic characters, witty dialogs and situational comedy.

Four people, four attitudes, different levels of insanity and bang on. These Four friends having 4,000,000 kroner which they owe to the mobster chief; plan to evaporate to Barcelona; engulfed in the woods in a derelict house nevertheless.

Every scene will make you grin with its black humor and sometimes you will laugh your ass off.

Madds Mikkeleson is amazing as a Lunatic, Ulrich Thomson is brilliant, Nikolaj Lie Kaas is fantastic with munching something in almost every scene and Søren Pilmark is superb as an angry 40 year old man.

Supporting cast has given an astounding performance.

8.5/10 Recommended for the people who love the black humor.

Smashing debut.

[McBuff · 7/10 · 29 March 2001]

Debuting director Anders Thomas Jensen has already directed three Oscar-nominated short subjects (he won for the hilarious "Valgaften" in 1999), and has supplied significant contributions to Danish movies as a screenwriter, so it was obvious that he should move on to feature length films. Blinkende lygter doesn´t disappoint. As usual, the dialogue is inventive and funny, but Jensen has also rounded up a great cast headed by Søren Pilmark (never better), Mads Mikkelsen, Ulrich Thomsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas as four criminals on the lam with a suitcase full of money. The supporting players all give impeccable performances (heck, even Ole Thestrup is funny in this!!!). Certain bursts of supposedly comedic violence leave a bad taste in the mouth, though, but not enough to ruin a great movie experience. Jensen, who´s not afraid to use a widescreen frame (watch and learn, Dogme brethren!) is a rising star to watch out for. Definite US remake possibilities, but hey, that´s what they said about Nightwatch too, and look what good that did... 8 out of 10.

You can still change your life, even after you've turned 40

[askerix · 10/10 · 1 March 2006]

Each of the four protagonists are in the beginning of the movie in a state of unhappiness. As Torkild, the leader of the band of four of petty criminals, turns 40, he realizes that he is unhappy with his life and decides to change it after a job well done offers him the chance of a lifetime. His friends are at this point not aware of their unhappiness and thus unknowingly and unwillingly go along with Torkild's plan. Torkild's original plan is, however, derailed and suddenly the four friends find themselves in place far from anything they've ever known. Slowly all of them come to realize that the life they were leading, was not making them happy.

In the course of the movie, the director takes the viewer back to the childhood of the main characters, which explains the position they are in as adults. This is done with the darkest of humour, great acting, extreme and wonderful characters, and most of all a great life confirming story that shows the impact of our childhood on our present life, the horrors of malfunctioning families and the value of true friendship.

Don't expect a realistic movie. It is more like a fable. It contains extreme characters that make people think of the movie as a stupid, mindless, violence-packed, worthless movie, but those who see beyond the extremities and give the movie a chance are in for a ride.

I'm Sorry Denmark but this film sucks

[jinmin45 · 15 May 2004]

I'm an American and I rented this movie from by foreign exchange friend whose from Denmark. I just didn't think this movie had a good plot. I mean come on, the director is trying to do the Tarantino(Pulp Fiction, Reservior Dogs) style and the thing is that there's 4 childhood gangsters and they steal some money from their boss and they run away with it and later have a restaurant???? This plot sucks major. The plot is possibly one of the worst I've ever herd. I didn't find this movie that violent how my friend said it was. There was some funny moments at times but the rest are just plain dull. I haven't seen much Denmark films, but this one I gotta put a thumbs down. 3/10

What a weird movie.

[Kdosda_Hegen · 6/10 · 5 May 2021]

It's clearly over-the-top. Humor is bad. For example they used tons of animal cruelty just for humor as if shooting a cute squirrel is supposed to be a funny gag... In fact, there are so many animals killed in this film that I wouldn't recommend it to any animal lover.

Anyways, while the humor is bad the movie pays off on different matters. Sometimes it gets very serious, it tries to push some really unrealistic and forced dramatic scene time to time and actually it somehow works. The dark pasts of all the characters' were shown individually and most of them are very interesting. There is one scene in a film which even provoked a deeper thought for me and for a film which push boundaries too hard it is surprising, to say the least. All in all it was definitely an interesting watch.

bad mixture

[countkeysersoze · 1/10 · 7 November 2000]

How can you mix slap-stick/Laurel and Hardy comedy and mean Pusher/Bleeder violence? That simply doesn't work for me! Ole Thestrup and Fritz Helmuth are simply too stupid and pinheaded - especially Ole Thestrup. The hunting scene along with the final get-even scene are just too stupid and unrealistic... Apart from that, I like the story, the acting (especially Mads Mikkelsen) and the dialog. Still I can't quite figure out how it's possible to get lost in a forest near Frederica when driving from Copenhagen to Barcalona? It's motorway all the way!? I'm looking forward to seeing the Hollywood version...