Written and directed by Lasse Noer, the loss of a loved one, the grief, the risk of yellow skin, and a coffin, that is too much for Karl to face. Starring: Leif Andrée, Jens Jørn Spottag, Jesper Lohmann, Dick Kaysø, Oliver Due and Bodil Lassen.
Within Scandinavia there is an uncanny knack for mixing sadness and darkness with comedy, Knight of Fortune is another great example. It has a wonderful sense of humour right from the start, the writing embraces classic awkwardness and how we can mishandle social and empathetic obligations in difficult times. While it does feel like the film is a bit longer than it needed to be, the progression is handled well. It’s slow but its gradual reveal and development go hand in hand with its style of comedy and emotion.
The emotion definitely comes even more into play with the direction, Lasse Noer and cinematographer Lasse Ulvedal Tolbøll build an aesthetic which has a terrific weight to it. While the story takes its enjoyably sarcastic and humorous turns, the direction, colour and atmosphere grasp onto the constant themes of grief and loss. It keeps that depth lingering in the air continuously, which does a great job of giving the film layers.
Of course, the other key element which creates that balance of light and dark is the performances. Leif Andrée and Jens Jørn Spottag are genuinely excellent, together within this relatively brief amount of time they develop such engaging characters. Andrée gives us a stoic man in Karl, he’s composed but generous, initially holding back wanting to experience his grief alone before giving in to his kindness towards Torben.
Spottag’s Torben is a little bit clumsy and intensely awkward but he has a lot to offer as time goes on. Within that slow unveiling of his character, with the help of Karl, is the true heart of the film. Their performances embody the key message of Knight of Fortune, one of compassion and how there is no normal when it comes to grief.
Knight of Fortune is dark, funny and touching. It perhaps extends itself more than it needed to but it holds a sincerely meaningful note at its core. The performances from Leif Andrée and Jens Jørn Spottag are exceptional. Lasse Noer’s direction embraces the thin line between laughing and crying, finding levity and warmth in the power of a sympathetic ear when you’re feeling unmoored from life.
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