Terribly Happy (Denmark)

I've been a bit lax in staying up to date as I've seen films. This is my third day and I'm hoping to make significant progress tonight on catching up. So far I'd suggest seeking out The Market - A Story of Trade - it's one of my top picks (in addition to the recommendations on the right sidebar of the blog). You can also check my twitter notes for one line good/bad thoughts throughout the day.

My first film was Terribly Happy, a Danish black comedy about policeman who's sentenced to penance at an out of the way town. There's a bit of an off kilter Twin Peaks property to the endeavor from the get go. Complete with the little girl pushing a stuffed animal laden pram about town, the three prominent citizens playing cards in a barren room, and the ominous "we handle things ourselves here" intro from the townsfolk. Of course as every good law man the new officer arrives with his own "past" to be dealt with. Throw in a femme fatale, people mysteriously gone missing, a voice over about problems being disposed of in the bog and away things go...

Reading the description I was hoping for something truly great such as Adam's Apples of a few years ago. This is less outright funny and more ironic black comedy. It's not at all bad, but I can't put it in the "must see" camp. If you're analysis prone there's a fair amount to talk over, around fate, the decisions we make, and how far would you go to secure a regular fourth in your regular card game.