BEYOND THE BORDER (Gransen)
Reviewer: Harry Davenport
Rated: 15(UK)
Release Date: 8th August, 2011(UK)
Director: Richard Holm
Cast: André Sjöberg, Bjørn Sundquist Antti Reini
Have you ever wondered what Sweden did in World War II? I certainly haven’t. Now I’ve seen Gränsen I know a little, and although the film isn’t a complete success, there are some terrific sequences, performances and top-notch cinematography.
Sweden was neutral during WWII, so it’s quite a challenge to make an action film set in this time. Gränsen tells the story of a group of Swedish soldiers who cross the border into Norway to rescue comrades who have been kidnapped by the Nazis. The film rather shoots itself in the foot with an opening fact stating that almost 300 Swedish soldiers disappeared without a trace in WWII, so we know that this can’t have a particularly happy ending unless it adopts a history changing stance like Inglorious Basterds. While it doesn’t go as far as Basterds it does get quite fictional in places, even melodramatic, with ridiculous moments such as when they find a crashed plane with all of Germany’s invasion plans for Sweden. The first half of the film is very slow. We are supposed to warm to friends and families before their lives are in danger, and we don’t. The second half, although rather over the top, is riveting.
André Sjöberg, who leads the cast, is also one of the writers and producers. He is an odd looking chap. Rather young looking and occasionally effeminate but sporting a moustache. Despite his strange look, he is wonderful. His character goes though a wide range of emotions and Sjöberg does a fantastic job of portraying them; particularly fear. It’s high praise to say that in these moments he reminds one of Harrison Ford’s tense expressions in the midst of action. The rest of the cast are brilliant and totally believable, especially Johan Hedenberg who plays Sjöberg’s seemingly “by the books” Major.
Andreas Wessberg’s cinematography is excellent. The film, much like Fargo and Let the Right One In, is set in an environment of endless snow, and much as in those films he has managed to make it look beautiful and, amazingly, not boring. Aside from looking great the film sounds wonderful. The effects of the bullets flying past and occasionally hitting are spectacular, and add to the tension of the scenes.
The action is quite amazing, with great little details and believable gore. These scenes are the most memorable parts of the film. Great shootouts and fights wake you up after the dull opening half. The climax is over the top but thrilling and you leave the film pretty satisfied.
Gränsen suffers from a bad plot, and an undewhelming opening, but great production values, performances and smashing action make this is an entertaining watch.
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