Imagine a somewhat dark sanatorium in the countryside. A big villa, pristine yet it somehow still feels dilapidated. Perhaps it's the inhabitants rather than the house itself that ooze a sense of something not quite at its peak; something a bit run down. Perhaps it's the northern fall weather that gives off that dank and dark fall feeling that creeps in and settles in a foreboding mood. Whatever it is, we get tons of it in this wonderful scary-old-house-in-the-woods film.
Detailing the plot of these kind of films isn't necessarily all that important. What is important is that the mystery can uphold the tension and that the actors, cinematography, score and set design can create the kind of mood that is essential for a light horror film like this. So, does Methling et al, succeed? The answer is a resounding yes!
When Methling was on point he could create these often-overlooked cinematic nuggets of gold. Fem og Rosa is another great example, although not a horror but a heist flick, there too Methling hits it out of the park.
Helle Virkner in the character of Betina, the niece of well-to-do uncle Theodor who finances the santorium that is the center of our film, is yet again a tad bit over the top but yet somehow wonderfully effective as the slightly nervous but otherwise solid straight man in this mystery horror. Virkner is the center of the proceedings - the plot crank pin which we rely on to move things along. Because someone is out to get her. So, when her uncle turns up dead, this someone makes Betina the fall guy. Or attempts to, because Betina has an ace up her sleeve or rather two - sisters in fact, played by Maria Garland and Else-Marie which means we're in for a treat. One a wit so sharp Miss Marple might have cut herself on it; the other sassy and given to this world with fingers so nimble anything in her vicinity might go missing. And with these two heavy weights in Betina's corner, our killer has their work cut out for them.
The film's gallery of characters is in general perhaps a bit on the nose with doctors, lawyers, careers and last but not least the patients whose ailments is perhaps difficult to understand could be helped in this isolated locale away from the world, but there we are. But no matter as that isn't all that important and as we get actors such as Arthur Jens, Bjørn Puggaard-Müller and Lars Lunøe to bring these stereotypes to life, we quickly understand we're in good and competent hands. These stalwarts of Danish cinema won't fumble the ball.
Yes, Methling knows what he's doing. Having penned the script himself, he'd have no-one but himself to blame if things didn't stack up. Well, they do. Very much so. From casting to the score by the underappreciated but genius Ole Høyer to the competent cinematography all in black and white, we're always in safe hands. Always along for the ride and what a great and lovely ride it is.
This is the kind of film I'd wish there were more of. A film that is best viewed with a bit of longing; a bit of nostalgia for something you're not quite sure of what is. But you know this one will scratch that nostalgic itch for you. If you let that is. I suggest you do.
