Saturday, 20 July 2013

Snabba Cash (Easy Money) (2010,  Dir. Daniél Espinosa, Sweden) (Cert: 15/R) ***

Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Matias Varela, Dragomir Mrsic

Having escaped from prison, Hispanic gangster Jorge (Varela) is also on the run from a Serbian gang. Meanwhile, economics student JW (Kinnaman) also performs mob activities through his work as a taxi driver. When JW saves Jorge from an attack by Serbian gangsters, their paths converge with Mrsdo (Mrsic) a Serbian hitman, hoping to lead a good life for his daughter (Lea Stojanov).

Having been released in its native Sweden in 2010 (where the film has sparked a couple of sequels),  Easy Money has been brought to English- language audiences courtesy of the legendary Martin Scorsese. Easy Money owes more than a little to 90s action thrillers. The subplot revolving around a ruthless hitman taking on the role of a nurturer recalls Léon (The Professional) (1994) and there are elements that seem reminiscent of Reservoir Dogs (1992). The film deals with three separate perspectives, but this does cause long periods (especially at the start) of one character or another being pushed out of the loop. The film really excels at capturing scenes of violence. With the help of a really loud mix of sound in these sequences, these scenes are shockingly abrupt and intense and provide some of the more impressive set-pieces in the film. Ultimately, Easy Money does make for an intriguing film. Combining a lot of the elements that are often associated with American cinema with a distinctly Scandinavian flavour and showing a multicultural and dark side of a country so often associated with pale blondes and a seemingly harmonious utopia, Easy Money may not be a film to watch time and time again, but it's perfectly fine for one viewing.

No comments:

Post a Comment