Portland (film)

The film is set in northern Denmark[3] and depicts the "violent drug-fueled adventures of two brothers, Janus (Anders Wodskou Berthelsen) and Jakob (Michael Muller) at the bottom of Denmark's social ladder."[1]

• Anders W. Berthelsen as Janus
• Michael Muller as Jakob, the brother of Janus
• Ulrich Thomsen as Lasse, the gang leader
• Iben Hjejle as Eva, the sister of Lasse
• Birthe Neumann as Lasse's mother
• Baard Owe as Kaj
• Edith Thrane as Mrs. Eriksen
• Helle Dolleris as Irene
• Susanne Birkemose Kongsgaard as Minna
• Karsten Belsnæs as Kenneth
• Preben Raunsbjerg as Johnny

Stephen Holden called the film "blood-chilling" with the "feel of a nihilistic prank. But although flashy, it has fundamental weaknesses. Partly because the actor playing him has no dramatic range, the transformation of Jakob from softhearted reform-school punk into sadistic iron man isn't the slightest bit convincing. Mr. Berthelsen's lank-haired, pill-popping Janus, however, is all too real. As this connoisseur of pain punches and lurches his way through the film, you see exactly how antisocial impulses can be warped into a code of outlaw values."[1]

David Stratton called it "violent, nihilistic and often repellent, and yet its bold visuals and unexpected elements of humor and romance make it riveting viewing."[2] According to Stratton, "as a director, Oplev shows he has talent: his mixture of moods works well, he gets strong performances from most cast members, and he pushes the narrative along at an urgent pace....But as a writer, he’s less successful; it’s surely not enough these days for Janus to blame his lifestyle on a lack of mother's love (which he does) or to have characters utter corny lines like “It’s us against the world.” There’s also far too much unmotivated violence (Janus assaulting a shopping mall security guard is a totally unnecessary sequence) and a few cheap and obvious jokes at the expense of authority figures."[2]

• Portland at IMDb
• Portland at Rotten Tomatoes