Sign In / Sign Up

Adam's Apples

Adam's Apples
Release date: 2005-04-15
Rating: 7.441
Votes: 751
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Crime
A neo-nazi sentenced to community service at a church clashes with the blindly devotional priest.

Reviews

Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Good Danish black humor.

tmdb28039023

tmdb28039023

Adam's Apples is simultaneously a deconstruction and a satire of the Book of Job; the former because it recognizes and highlights the underlying black humor in the biblical text, and the latter because it rightly points out that more than Job’s patience, we should talk about his madness. Danish priest Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen) is both jobian and quixotic (the costume department deserves a pat on the back for making him look, in his priestly garb, like the subject, thought to be Cervantes, of a portrait attributed to Juan de Jáuregui), his insanity the only thing that makes his crappy life bearable. In a stroke of genius, the film explains Ivan’s pollyannish disposition with the pythonesque “Ravashi Syndrome” (“Ravashi was an Indian footballer who lost both feet in a go-karting accident in 1957. In shock from the accident he ran home on the stumps of his legs. His brain blocked out the fact that he had no feet. For two months he went to practice. He kept his midfield position”; “With no feet?”; “It was a bad team. They were in the fifth division or something like that”). Mikkelsen is pitch-perfect as the clueless Ivan, deadpanning his way through outlandish dialogue and somehow making it sound earnest (in one the film’s funniest moments, he tells the titular Adam – a neo-nazi sent to Ivan’s rehabilitation program for parolees –, in reference to a picture of Hitler: “handsome man. Is he your father?”). Ulrich Thomsen is also very effective as the perplexed and ambivalent Adam, of whom Ivan brings out the best and the worst – for example, taking Ivan to the hospital every time Adam beats the crap out of him. In general, Ivan takes more physical punishment than any normal human being could survive, but then we’re not meant to take the movie literally (making it easier to laugh at the character’s sundry hardships and tribulations). Like the biblical book from which it draws inspiration, Adam’s Apples is a parable, though not of the ‘in God we trust’ variety. It'd be tempting to dismiss Ivan as a victim of fanaticism if the filmmakers didn't offset him with the equally fanatical Adam. It’s clear that Ivan's pathological faith is not the answer to life’s problems, but the solution does not lie in Adam’s misanthropic nihilism either. The ideal is to find common ground, which Ivan and Adam do when they visit and comfort a dying old man haunted by the memory of his days as a guard in a concentration camp.

r96sk

r96sk

What a strange film... a very good one, mind you. The cast do great work in this 2005 release. Mads Mikkelsen being the obvious standout - top performance! Ulrich Thomsen doesn't really do all that much necessarily, yet still manages to make a big impact with his showing - amusing, by the way, how much hair can change the way you see someone, that ending is quite the mild cranium contort*! I'm not really all that sold on what the film attempts to tell, but I can't deny that I had a pleasant time watching it all unfold. I wouldn't actually say it features that strong humour, perhaps some of it was lost in translation (Viaplay's subs were iffy in patches), but all that's there is enough. There is one joke at the death that is probably one of the most insulting, hitting both racist and ableist, that I've ever heard - black comedy, I know, I know. Aside from all that, final notes: sound and cinematography - super atmospheric in parts. Would I recommend 2005's <em>'Adam’s Apples'</em>? Ja. <em>*did i find that phrase on google for a more polite way of saying mindf#k - maybe</em>

Movie Recommendation

  • The Green Butchers
    The Green Butchers
    2003-03-08
    Svend and Bjarne work for a butcher in a small Danish town. Fed up with their boss' arrogance, they decide to start their own butcher shop. After dismal beginnings, an unfortunate accident happens which coincides with a large order of meat. One hasty decision leads to another and soon the business thrives. In the meantime, Bjarne has to deal with his twin brother who has been in coma for years following a gruesome car accident.
    More...
  • Flickering Lights
    Flickering Lights
    2000-11-03
    Four small gangsters from Copenhagen trick a gangster boss: they take over 4,000,000 kroner which they were supposed to bring him. Trying to escape to Barcelona they are forced to stop in the countryside, in an old, wrecked house, hiding there for several weeks. Slowly, one after another, they realize, that they would like to stay there, start a new life.
    More...
  • A Hijacking
    A Hijacking
    2012-02-29
    Tensions are high after a Danish freighter is captured and held for ransom by Somali pirates, leading to weeks of high-stakes negotiations – and an escalating potential for explosive violence.
    More...
  • Even Money
    Even Money
    2007-03-13
    Gambling addiction bring the stories of three otherwise unconnected people together as it destroys each of their lives.
    More...
  • The Americanization of Emily
    The Americanization of Emily
    1964-10-27
    American sailor Charlie Madison falls for a pretty Englishwoman while trying to avoid a senseless and dangerous D-Day mission concocted by a deranged admiral.
    More...
  • EXPO: Magic of the White City
    EXPO: Magic of the White City
    2005-09-16
    Explore the world of 1893 through a cinematic visit to Chicago's Columbian Exposition. Many of the world's greatest achievements in art, architecture, science, technology and culture are unveiled there. The grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, famous for his design of New York City's Central Park, and constructed under the supervision of Daniel Burnham. The Fair was an engineering marvel. On opening day, President Grover Cleveland depressed a golden telegraph key which sent the first courses of electricity throughout the Fair powering fountains, machines, electric railways and thousands of lights. It was the first use of electricity on such a massive scale. Nearly 28 million visit the "White City," which inspires future innovators like Henry Ford, Walt Disney and Frank Lloyd Wright, and debuts the Ferris Wheel and Cracker Jack.
    More...
  • Election Night
    Election Night
    1998-01-01
    On election night we meet Peter, an idealistic young man, who suddenly discovers he has forgotten to vote. On his way to the polls he encounters a variety of taxi drivers, all racist in their way and Peter has to decide whether to stand up for his convictions or getting to the polls on time. The film won an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.
    More...
  • Finn & Jacob: ... På vejen igen
    Finn & Jacob: ... På vejen igen
    1996-01-01
    Finn and Jacob tried to avoid each other since the winter of 89th This video is proof that it has failed miserably. In 65 minutes with nothing but new tracks they find each other again. And they do the hunting fields, on the beach, at the hospital in Germany, at the doctor and in a Piet van Deurs TV program. Moreover, they find each other in a well-known grocery store. The humor is moving steadily from the very highest levels far below the belt. In short: It all derailed. For Finn and Jacob are on the road again.
    More...
  • Clash of Egos
    Clash of Egos
    2006-08-25
    Tony has recently been released from a sentence for violent behaviour. He promises to improve his ways and is finally granted a few hours alone with his two children. They celebrate the reunion by going to the movies to see a new film by the famous, critically acclaimed Danish director Claus Volter. But the film is not the masterpiece it is said to be on the poster; the children are crying and Tony cannot get the money back he spent on tickets and candy. Tony does not give up; he seeks out Claus Volter in order to get an explanation and a refund. It is however easier said than done to get money out of a world-renowned filmmaker.
    More...
  • Breakdown
    Breakdown
    1977-12-01
    Gedeon is a young, ambitious detective. Three women have disappeared and he strongly believes that there’s direct connection between them. All three of them were driving lonely and have disappeared in the same region. After a lenghty discussion Gedeon gets the permission from his boss for going on patrol with his colleague in that area.
    More...
  • Ein Münchner im Himmel
    Ein Münchner im Himmel
    1962-01-01
    Alois Hingerl, porter no. 172 at the Munich train station, gets into heaven. St. Peter introduces him to the heavenly house rules: “rejoicing” and “singing hallelujah”. Of that, “Angel Aloisus” is not very edified, especially since he is supposed to get “heavenly manna” instead of Munich beer. Due to a few irksome events at the side, his dissatisfaction is only increased. Angrily, he sits down on his cloud in order to rejoice and sing hallelujah. But that sounds in such a way that the heavenly population’s hair stood on end. In his indignation, Alois even doesn’t mince his words towards the Lord. The latter gives in and orders Alois to deliver the divine afflatus to the Bavarian government. He sends him immediately with a corresponding letter to Munich. As “angel Aloisius” comes back home, he at once goes to the Hofbräuhaus. And like this, the Bavarian government waits till today for the divine afflatus in vain.
    More...
  • (Untitled)
    (Untitled)
    2009-10-25
    A fashionable contemporary art gallerist in Chelsea, New York falls for a brooding new music composer in this comic satire of the state of contemporary art.
    More...
  • Holy Sword
    Holy Sword
    1982-01-01
    After a series of ninja attacks, a Turkish policeman who's an expert on ninjas is called for help.
    More...
  • Turks & Caicos
    Turks & Caicos
    2014-03-20
    The second movie in David Hare's Johnny Worricker trilogy. Loose-limbed spy Johnny Worricker, last seen whistleblowing at MI5 in Page Eight, has a new life. He is hiding out in Ray-Bans on the Caribbean islands of the title, eating lobster and calling himself Tom Eliot (he’s a poet at heart). We’re drawn into his world and his predicament when Christopher Walken strolls in as a shadowy American who claims to know Johnny. The encounter forces him into the company of some ambiguous American businessmen who claim to be on the islands for a conference on the global financial crisis. When one of them falls in the sea, their financial PR seems to know more than she's letting on. Worricker soon learns the extent of their shady activities and he must act quickly to survive when links to British prime minister Alec Beasley come to light.
    More...
  • The Hands of Orlac
    The Hands of Orlac
    1924-09-24
    A world-famous pianist loses both hands in an accident. When new hands are grafted on, he is horrified to learn they once belonged to a murderer.
    More...
  • The Business
    The Business
    2005-09-02
    During the '80s, a young man named Frankie dreams of escaping London's South East region, and his mother's thug of a boyfriend gives him just the opportunity. After beating up the abusive beau, Frankie runs off to Spain, where he lands a job delivering a package to the dapper Playboy Charlie, a gangster who takes him under his wing. Working as Charlie's driver, Frankie is immersed in a world of fast cars and pretty women -- but all the excess could be his undoing.
    More...
  • In China They Eat Dogs
    In China They Eat Dogs
    1999-09-10
    Arvid is an ordinary bank clerk who lives a rather unassuming life with his dear girlfriend. But his life is turned completely upside down when he bravely manages to avert a robbery against the bank where he works.
    More...
  • The Snows of Kilimanjaro
    The Snows of Kilimanjaro
    2011-11-16
    A union pensioner and his wife are robbed, but find that merely getting the assailants brought to justice is not enough for their consciences.
    More...
  • Ingenious
    Ingenious
    2009-02-01
    A rags-to-riches story of two friends, a small-time inventor and a sharky salesman, who hit rock bottom before coming up with a gizmo that becomes a worldwide phenomenon.
    More...
  • Crazy
    Crazy
    2000-06-08
    Benjamin, a 16-year-old with lousy grades, switches to a boarding school in order to eventually reach grammar school. Adjusting to his new environment is difficult as he has to struggle with being a teen... specially when he falls in love to the school's dream girl, Malen.
    More...

Similar Movies