Writers: Christelle Berthevas, Arnaud des Pallières
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Mélusine Mayance, Delphine Chuillot, David Kross, Bruno Ganz, Denis Lavant
Synopsis: After an unfair deal, horse trader Michael Kohlhaas (Mikkelsen) attempts to seek justice and compensation. A court hearing is disregarded and in desperation he sets out to wage war on the government and citizens who have wronged him.
Sampling
various epochs and languages, Mads Mikkelsen’s selection of roles always finds
him in an interesting setting. Michael
Kohlhaas is his second period drama in a year (the other being the
outstanding A Royal Affair), but
instead of corsets and courtrooms, Arnaud des Pallières’s finds him wielding
swords and riding across the French landscape. It’s not as action-heavy as it
sounds; rather, the film is solemn and slow-moving, exploring the motivations
of revolt.
After
being dealt a dab hand in a horse trade, what goes from being an irritating
dupe turns into a bloody and morbid affair. Michael Kohlhaas’ wife is murdered
and he is left with his daughter, urging him to avenge his lover and alter his
child’s future. When Mikkelsen is handed a character with a dilemma or a strong
impulse, he nails it every time. Kohlhaas is a rich character already revered
in Germany where the story has been read for over a century. In this respect,
Mikkelsen has a history of interpretation and analysis to look at in order to
play Heinrich von Kleist’s protagonist, enabling him to embody the eponymous
hero compellingly. Mikkelsen has not shown himself as a leader in many films,
adding to the interest in Michael
Kohlhaas where he instructs and commands. With all this, there is still the
tenderness often found in his work that moved away from being typecast as
another Bond villain-type. The last shot, squarely framed around Mikkelsen’s
forlorn face, promotes the actor’s charisma and skill unlike any other so far.
Executed
pretty well, there is an awful series of edits in one of the pivotal moments
that does irreparable damage. Difficult enough to follow the new group of
characters at this stage in the film, and focused on some important action, the
editing is too rough. As the narrative calms slightly, this problem is
forgotten, partially.
Other
than that, the music (an elegant and melodic score that, like the end shot,
lingers long after) and imagery is magnificent. Novelistic in its DNA, it flows
forward with a definite progression of character and themes. The reason for
disequilibrium – a swindled horse deal – may seem strange and unfitting for a
period epic but it’s analysed in such a way that you feel strongly connected to
Kohlhaas’ cause. Obviously aided by Mads Mikkelsen, the film may not be worth
much without its lead but as it stands, it’s powerful and gorgeous.
****
Michael Kohlhaas is competing in the Official Competition
selection at Cannes 2013. Also posted on LiveForFilms
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