Pusher (1996) – Film Review

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Cast: Kim Bodnia, Mads Mikkelsen, Laura Drasbaek
Certificate:

By Roger Crow

In the mid-90s, writer-director Nicolas Winding Refn exploded onto the scene with the powerful debut feature Pusher – the brutal and gritty Danish film went on the earn critical acclaim and awards galore and put the young filmmaker firmly on the map.

But is it any good? Well, if you don’t mind a fly-on-the-wall style drama about lowlifes dealing drugs, then yes, it’s fine. The standout star of course is Mads Mikkelsen, a decade before his career went through the roof as the arch bad guy in Casino Royale. And since then he’s gone on to become one of the most reliable actors in blockbusters like Rogue One, Dr Strange, and in TV saga Hannibal.

“Breathless chase”

Fascinating also to see a young Kim Bodnia, years before achieving cult stardom in TV saga The Bridge, and more mainstream smash Killing Eve. (The director’s mother suggested Kim after Nicholas had to fire the first choice).

With Pusher there are obvious comparisons with Trainspotting, released in the same year, but less of the kinetic energy that helped make that such a controversial smash.

Though Pusher lacks the magnetic charm of Refn’s 2011 indie smash Drive, it’s worth a look, but Mads aside, I was pretty bored after 20 minutes. Yes, it’s well put together with a good cast, and there’s a breathless chase around the 36-minute mark which adds much needed dynamism to the drama, but on the whole it’s tiring stuff.

It’s rough around the edges, which suits the subject matter perfectly, and inspiring for any filmmakers hoping to get their own movie off the ground.

Far more interesting is the director’s commentary with the Guardian’s film critic Peter Bradshaw, which gives a fresh perspectives on the movie.

“Priceless nuggets”

Even if you’re bored by the movie, the commentary is 24 carat gold, not least because it obviously presents such an informed perspective on the film.

The helmer reveals he was inspired by Mean Streets and the movies of John Cassavetes, as well as revealing many other priceless nuggets of trivia for film fans.

Picture and sound quality is pretty good for a film pushing 30, and that slightly grainy quality adds realism to the saga.

As a side note, it’s a shame we never got to see Refn’s take on Logan’s Run, which had been mooted after the success of 2011’s Drive, but I still live in hope that project gets a reboot one day.

Roger Crow( Writer )

Adopted Yorkshireman Roger Crow developed a passion for film and TV in the 1970s and 1980s. He has been a published film and TV reviewer since the 1990s; a world travel and restaurant critic since the noughties, and for the past decade has assessed the pros and cons of live gigs and theatre productions around the UK. His ideal day would involve reviewing a performance of Bat Out of Hell, followed by a Pad Thai while being serenaded by Texas on a cruise around Europe.
crowsfeat.com; nostalgiahhh film podcast

You do not have any posts.