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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Tretten Aar remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you probably shouldn't bother unless you are a completionist for old Danish cinema or really, really love Marguerite Viby. If you prefer your comedies to have internal logic or, you know, not rely on such a creepy premise, you’ll hate it. It’s a relic, but not the kind that feels like a hidden gem.
The whole thing is built on this wildly uncomfortable idea where the lead acts like a child to escape a boss who just won't take a hint. It feels like someone took a screwball comedy script and just forgot to add the humor.
Viby is clearly trying to carry the weight of the film on her shoulders. She’s energetic, sure, but she’s trapped in a script that forces her to do things that make you want to look at your phone. 📱
The pacing is all over the place. Sometimes scenes drag on like they are waiting for a train that isn't coming. Other times, a major character reveal happens in the background while everyone else is busy shouting at each other.
It’s nowhere near as clever as Jumping Beans, which at least knows what kind of chaos it’s serving. Here, the chaos just feels exhausting.
You can tell the director was trying to make something lighthearted, but the central lie is just too heavy. It doesn't quite work. It sits there on the screen, feeling more like a stage play that lost its stage.
Still, watching Petrine Sonne work is a small highlight. She brings a bit of grounded energy to the madness. She deserves better lines than what she got. 🎭
If you watch it, you’ll probably spend half the time shaking your head. It’s definitely not a classic, but it is certainly... a movie.