'Welcome to the adult world' is the tagline for Niels Arden Oplev's Speed Walking |
Martin is soon getting his confirmation (a Christian rite-of-passage for teenagers), and as
he comes home one day, he has lost his mother to cancer. In the time following this profound loss, Martin is also very interested in a girl in the
neighborhood. And a boy.
Set somewhere in the 1970's Jutland, Speed Walking
is a sweet, fun, unpretentious and charming coming-of-age dramedy. -
Surprisingly amusing and with very fine acting by debuting actor Villads Bøye as the boy Martin and the two other kids, Kraka Donslund Nielsen and Frederik Winther Rasmussen. Backing them up is a barrage of wonderful Danish actors: Especially Sidse Babett Knudsen (Borgen (2010-13)) is a treat here, and her delivery is flawless and particularly funny if you understand Danish. Anders W. Berthelsen (Mifune/Mifunes Sidste Sang (1999)) is also great as the unprepared father, and Kristian Halken (Dark Horse/Voksne Mennesker (2005)) makes a good, vague country priest.
The film takes a light tone to its theme of youth and reminds its audience that even in the midst of tragedy, a teenager will be a teenager. The sports angle, - the film's title refers to a particular and very amusing type of fast-walking discipline that Martin excels in in his village, - only further lightens the terrific film.
It is directed by great Danish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo/Män Som Hatar Kvinnor (2009)).
Related post:
Niels Arden Oplev: The
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo/Män Som Hatar Kvinnor (2009) - An exciting
adult ride in sadism and mystery from cold cold Sweden
Villads Bøye and Sidse Babett Knudsen in Niels Arden Oplev's Speed Walking |
Cost: Estimated 22.5 mil. DKK (3.7 mil. $)
Box office: Unknown
= Unknown
What do you think of Speed Walking?
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