Pusher - 1996

A drug pusher grows increasingly desperate after a botched deal leaves him with a large debt to a ruthless drug lord.

Today I continued the Nicolas Winding Refn marathon with his first movie "Pusher". I had begun with “Drive” and was great, then i followed with four films (Valhalla Rising-Bleeder-Bronson and Fear X).

Pusher is a very good movie and when you take into consideration it was his first movie, it makes it all the better, you can sum up the movie in one simple sentence, (A really bad week) in the life of a Danish drug pusher. That’s the story. For a first time director, working with a lot of first time actors, he gets great performances out of them. The story moves along very quick and has enough turns in it to keep the viewer interested.

The characters are also deep enough to make you actually care what happens. Many first time film makers seem to go more with whats happening now then character development. Refn however does a good job at both. The only familiar face in the movie is Mads Mikkelsen, who played the villain in Casino Royale and also was the main character in Refn’s “Valhalla Rising”. This movie is the first in a trilogy but has a definitive ending that does not make you feel you need to see the rest immediately, ending leaves one speechless. I won't spoil it, but it's unforgiving and breathtaking.

Just wanted to watch this movie before I watch Pusher 2012. Not a fan of movies with sub titles but this movie was terrific! I have heard Danish films were very good and this proves that point. Kim Bodina is a very good actor and I am surprised that he was never cast in any American films.

In my honest opinion Pusher(2012), like most remakes, shouldn't have been made. The lead character doesn't come across as particularly smart as well as being an unlikable ass.