- Actors: Mads Mikkelsen, David Dencik, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Søren Malling, Nicolas Bro
- Format: NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: Region A/1
- Number of discs: 2
- Rated: Unrated
- Studio: Drafthouse
- Release Date: October 25, 2016
- Run Time: 99 minutes
As a
screenwriter, Anders Thomas Jensen has provided some of the strongest material
for a few very serious-minded Danish filmmakers, which quite ironic considering
the tone of the films which he seems to prefer making as a director. Although
it has been 10 years since his last project as director, Jensen hasn’t missed a
beat. Men & Chicken would make a
perfect companion piece to Adam’s Apples (2005),
not to mention the darkly comic similarities The Green Butchers (2003).
For those
unfamiliar with Danish cinema, it doesn’t much matter. The fact of the matter
is that Men & Chicken is unlike
any film to come out of Denmark
or any other country, though it has layers of familiar elements from a number
of unlikely sources, combined to make a wholly unique experience. Joining
subtle elements of science fiction and horror with the irreverent spectacle of
slapstick, within the simple narrative shell of a familial drama, Men & Chicken is a film that demands
the unexpected be expected. The real miracle of Jensen’s film is how well he is
able to blend so many opposing styles into one thematically cohesive narrative.
The film follows
two socially inept brothers as they discover the truth about their father
during a viewing of his taped will. Gabriel (David Dencik) and Elias (Mads
Mikkelsen) are shocked to find that they are only half-brothers, and that they
have several other half brothers living in solitude on the small Danish island of Ork. Upon traveling to visit this
unknown family, Gabriel and Elias discover a dilapidated mansion filled with
all types of aberrations that lead to further questions about their father and
his mysterious experimentations carried out in the solitude provided by the
island.
Though it veers
into bizarre areas of science fiction and has a comedic tone throughout, the
heart of Jensen’s film remains firmly tied to the drama of the relationship
between Gabriel and Elias. When they first hear the news, Gabriel is relieved
to discover that he is only half related to Elias. Elias is easily the odder of
the two, though they are both the picture of normalcy compared to their
reclusive siblings living on the island. Mikkelsen is probably best known for
his villainous portrayals in the States, having played a Bond bad guy in Casino Royale, recently finished with
the iconic role of Hannibal Lector in the recent television series, and as the
super-villain in Marvel’s Doctor Strange.
Men & Chicken is completely
unlike anything that Mikkelsen has done in English, but it is even against type
for his Danish contributions. Not only does he handle comedy with ease,
Mikkelsen somehow also manages to embrace the character with such sincerity
that he creates an unexpected sense of empathy for him. The result was
comparable to what it might feel like if the character of Napoleon Dynamite was
able to make you cry.
While Men & Chicken may not be an instant
classic like some of Jensen’s other films, it is an unexpected treat for those
filmgoers looking for something untraditional. Half of the fun in watching the
film is trying to guess (often quite unsuccessfully) where it might be headed
next. For someone that watches as many films as I do, this experience alone is
something of a treat.
The Blu-ray combo release for Men & Chicken also includes a DVD
and Digital HD copy of the film. The package also comes with a 24-page booklet
insert, which has an introduction written by Jensen and some spectacular set
photography. The special features on the actual discs are disappointingly absent,
including only a collection of trailers for other films.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 8/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Special Features: 3.5/10
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