A Funny Man (2011) ( Dirch )

A Funny Man (2011) (Blu-Ray) (*)

~~$20.99~~ $14.97

Original Title: Dirch
Language Selections:
Danish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
Danish ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio )
Danish ( Subtitles )
English ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Denmark ( Blu-Ray/Region B )

Running Time:
111 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (2.35:1)

Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 2011 and produced in:
Denmark ( Scandinavia, Iceland )

Directed By:
Martin Zandvliet

Written By:
Martin Zandvliet
Anders Frithiof August

Actors:
Nikolaj Lie Kaas ..... Dirch
Lars Ranthe ..... Kjeld
Lars Brygmann ..... Lommer
Malou Reymann ..... Bente Askjær
Morten Kirkskov ..... Ove
Frederikke Cecilie Berthelsen ..... Inge
Silja Eriksen Jensen ..... Judy
Laura Christensen ..... Hanne
Sarah Grünewald ..... Vicky
Martin Buch ..... Preben
Laura Bro ..... Sitter
Marie Dietz ..... Dorte Passer, 5 & 7 år
Alberte Elvira Nørregaard ..... Dorte Passer, 10 år
Charlotte Amalie Kirkegaard Kehlet ..... Dorte Passer, 19 & 25 år
Kristian Halken ..... Lommers assistent

Synopsis:

Opening in the seductive style of the sixties, "A Funny Man" uncovers the perennial loneliness that comedian Dirch Passer (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) has found himself in after a fast-tracked rise to fame. He struggles between his own desire to gain critical respect and servicing the audience's needs. Costing his kindred friendship to on-stage partner Kjeld Petersen (Lars Ranthe) Dirch takes on Steinbeck's classic "Of Mice and Men", only for the audience to break out in laughter at his first line. Dirch's Lennie becomes a running joke, and so has, Dirch believes, his own life.

A Funny Man presents a fascinating account of the local response to the global impact of mid-century American pop culture, but its primary strength lies in its portrait of a man determined to pursue greater success no matter what the personal cost. The filmmakers' knowledge and understanding of Passer's work comes naturally - many of their family members worked on his shows - and Zandvliet directs with the same remarkable sensitivity that distinguished his debut feature Applause. The cast is excellent, most notably Kaas, who is fearless in his exploration of Passer's tortured psyche. Though Kaas is one of Denmark's biggest stars - his credits include Anders Thomas Jensen's The Green Butchers, Lars von Trier's The Idiots and Susanne Bier's Brothers - Passer, in all his pathos, charisma and complexity, may prove to be his defining role.

As the film opens, Passer and his partner Kjeld (Lars Ranthe) have established themselves as Copenhagen's biggest comedy duo. Dressed like Rat Pack apprentices, they perform an act that lies somewhere between Abbott and Costello and Martin and Lewis - with Kjeld as the constantly infuriated straight man and Passer as the buffoon audiences adore. Kjeld feels the enterprise is beneath them, boozing wildly to deal with his fatigue and boredom. Goaded one too many times by Kjeld, the self-doubting Passer quits the act and ultimately finds even greater success on his own, though his compulsive need for approval soon threatens everything he holds dear.

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 16 May, 2012.

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