Flickering Lights
Plot
Flickering Lights: Off Colour (2000) is a Danish crime comedy film that tells the story of four small-time gangsters from Copenhagen who concoct a plan to outsmart their boss, Vigo Butsikas. The quartet, consisting of two brothers, Valdemar and Jeppe, along with their friends, Dennis and Jimmy, are tasked with delivering 4 million kroner to Butsikas. However, instead of handing over the money, they decide to keep it for themselves. The group's decision sets off a chain reaction as they try to escape to Barcelona, but their plans are constantly foiled by unexpected events. Along the way, they encounter a series of misadventures, from getting stuck in a traffic jam to accidentally stealing a police car. As they navigate through the streets of Denmark and Spain, the gangsters' antics become increasingly absurd and chaotic. As the group's predicament worsens, they begin to turn on each other, revealing their true personalities and motivations. The film's climax is marked by a series of intense confrontations, as the gangsters are forced to face the consequences of their actions. Throughout the film, director Anders Thomas Jensen employs a unique blend of dark humor and witty dialogue to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the human condition. Flickering Lights features a talented ensemble cast, including Lars Kaalund, Anders Hove, Jesper Lohese, and Jakob Schmidt. The film's offbeat style and irreverent tone have made it a cult classic in Denmark, and its influence can be seen in many subsequent crime comedies.
Reviews
Axel
Isn't this basically a Nordic version of Woody Allen's amateur thieves? A group of clumsy crooks attempts a risky heist to get rich, only to stumble upon a legitimate business. Considering both films came out around 2000, is it just a coincidence? Or, against the backdrop of the Western financial economic crisis around the millennium, did the European and American film industries act in unison to revisit certain genres that could be used to appease unrest and ease conflicts? I don't rule out the former, but the latter seems more likely. Three and a half stars.
Sarah
If American films are commercial, French films are artistic, and German films are depressing, then Nordic films are absurd. They have a very specific taste, the humor is odd, and you get the feeling that the concept of "police" doesn't really exist there...
Aaliyah
Another story of outsiders. Very heartwarming.
Diana
I've honestly seen enough of these rough-and-tumble male friendship movies. This film has no twists and turns, no dramatic ups and downs; it's just a story about four troubled youths growing into troubled middle-aged men who steal money to open a restaurant, maintain unwavering loyalty, and try to save face in front of their ex-girlfriends.