Grimm

Synopsis: Two teenagers, Marie (Halina Reijn) and Jacob (Jacob Derwig), are abandoned by their father in a forest while collecting wood for the family fire. They find a letter from their mother urging them to find their Auntie in Spain and head off on a demented adventure. Running out of money they turn to prostitution, murder and motorcycle theft to help them reach their destination. Unfortunately their Spanish family have all died and Marie falls into the hands of debonair surgeon Diego (Carmelo Gomez). The siblings move into his large house and Marie is soon married to the lothario. Jacob is jealous and becoming increasingly suspicious, he is sure there is more to Diego than meets the eye. He should have listened to his feelings because he is soon unwittingly donating one of his kidneys to Diego's mysterious sister Teresa (Elvira Minguez).

A wonderfully pitch-black mix of sex, dubious sibling relationships, prostitution, murder, animal husbandry and illegal organ donor operations, Grimm emanates from the demented pen of Dutchman Alex van Warmerdam. Taking on directing, producing and composing as well as writing duties he has created a truly bizarre film that twists and turns on a delightfully fun ride.

The relationship between Marie and Jacob is extremely close, they think nothing of bathing together and the director shows brief glimpses of their potential incestuous relationship. This is paralleled with Diego and Teresa's darker secret as the four try to live together; it's a fascinating chamber piece once the travellers arrive in the hot languid climes of Spain. The Spanish landscapes are a perfect juxtaposition to the cold harsh Dutch winter of the film's earlier scenes.

The performances are excellent, Halina Reijn runs at the role of Marie at full throttle, uninhibited in the extreme she lights up the screen and is definitely a face to watch; Jacob Derwig is a perfect foil as her subdued older brother. All the peripheral characters are played as wonderfully offbeat caricatures in Warmerdam's imaginary Europe.

The wild swings between slapstick humour, dark disturbing imagery and slow brooding plotting may confound some. The pacing leads to a few dull spots which try to enhance the mood but imbalance the film. Having said that, the director has given the film the atmospheric ambience of a dark fairy tale; a modern day Hansel and Gretel of otherworldly charm.

 

 

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