kosmasp
I don't even know where to begin with this. It's so far out, that if you're not expecting what is going to happen (as in not having seen the trailer or read the synopsis), you'll be blown away. Though even with some knowledge this should work wonders on ones brain. Just the fact that Mads Mikkelsen is in it, should be enough for anyone who's not familiar with the other cast members or the director to give it a go.Having said that, the humor won't be everyones taste. Actually some might not even consider many things happening as funny. They might label them with other things and words. But if you like humor that is quite quirky and weird, you will relish and cherish this. Although I wouldn't say the movie can be viewed as big twist movie, I didn't see things coming ... even the ones that were right there to put together!
Brap-2
Anders Thomas Jensen has been known for spawning very creative stories, ones that are arguably designed for the absurd. Even if this is the case, there's an underlying genius to what he has created with 'Men and Chicken' (Mænd & høns). Whatever the idea might have been, it came together in the end perfectly.The story revolves around two brothers from Denmark who suffer from grotesque appearances and other mental issues that hinder them on a daily basis. While one brother, Gabriel, is a University professor who can't maintain a relationship, the other is the loose-cannon, Elias (phenomenally played by Mads Mikkelsen), who also has relationship issues and can't seem to go more than an hour without having to gratify himself.The brothers learn from their now deceased father that he was not their biological father, that the real one is a Geneticist who specializes in Stem Cell Research, fathered both men with different women, and that he resides on a remote island. While this excites Gabriel at first due to his assumptions that him and Elias could not be related, they embark on a journey that reveals their true family history. They find out that they have three other half-brothers who live on the remote island, and surprise surprise, they have similar features. While Elias is able to, say, communicate with the loners of the island in far less civilized methods, Gabriel attempts to help improve their ways of problem solving by talking and not by hilarious slapstick comedy beatings.It seems as if the story gets its inspiration from Kafka's 'The Metamorphisis'. So very "Kafka-esque" ('Mission Hill' reference). I'll let that idea sit with you. The film breaks the barriers of creativity in storytelling from both a comedic and dramatic perspective. It opens and closes as if reading a kids storybook, the musical score has a certain creepy feel to it, and the makeup and design all around was made to give the characters a worn down and dirty look that couldn't have possibly been any better.What was really fantastic about the film was despite the absurdity, the story really gelled into something of substance and quality. It told us that aren't able to choose our family, and that being different is the best thing in the world.The film ends on the note that every life -- be it creature or human, ugly or pretty, fat or skinny — is truly a small miracle. Things happen that are out of your control, and when you learn about what who you really are, it is possible to find comfort and acceptance. "For the very simple reason that life is life, and that the alternative is not preferable."
simonsaysplay01
I don't often write reviews here, but I just had to write something about this film.I'm a huge fan of Anders Thomas Jensen, I believe he's one of the most important director/writers in Denmark at the moment. Even though he has only directed 3 feature films (all of them excellent), he has written a ton of important danish films for the last 20 years or so.Men and Chicken (Mænd og Høns) is in my opinion his greatest film so far. You are brought into this totally obscure insane world, but you are never bored. It is hilariously funny in Jensen's typical black humour way. But in this case also has such a a mysterious and interesting story, with bizaare characters. How did a man come up with this? This film is genius, might not be for everyone, but wow is this film just amazing. I just hope we don't have to wait another 10 years for his next film.
