The unattractiveness (physical and personal) of Mads' character Elisa is established early on and it is not long into the film that he and his slightly less unattractive (and considerably more intelligent) brother, Gabriel (David Dencik) learn their parentage isn't what they were led to believe. Turns out they are half brother, to different mothers, and before long they are a remote island, hanging with three other half brothers (from different mothers) in the hope of reconnecting with the aged scientist father.
Oddball doesn't begin to describe this motley family. Violently capricious, cheese-freak, bookworm psychos comes a little closer. With an emphasis on the violence.
Delicate isn't a concept that will spring to mind readily when considering the relative merits of Jensen's film but taking a step back from the cacophony of freakshow comedy, he has carefully balanced the mix of heart in the piece. We can laugh, we can cringe, we can "oh, no, he didn't" a hell of a lot, but Jensen and his cast keep us on-side enough to care about what happens to this distasteful crew, without sacrificing the laughs (and this'd be the film I laughed at most wholeheartedly during the festival)
Even now, there is some residue of affection smeared over my thoughts on the film. Once you've seen it, I'm sure you'll agree, that's an achievement.
An uncomfortable hoot.
★★★☆
Trailer:
Men and Chicken screened as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival 2016.
You can check out other films from the festival here.
You can check out other films from the festival here.
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