Today’s quick review: In Order of Disappearance. When his son is murdered by drug smugglers, Nils Dickman (Stellan Skarsgard), a snowplow driver in a small Norwegian town, hunts for the men responsible. He works his way up the smugglers’ chain of command, aiming for Ole Forsby (Pal Sverre Hagen), the head of the operation. But with his actions, Nils unwittingly touches off a drug war between Ole and Papa (Bruno Ganz), his Serbian rival.
In Order of Disappearance is a crime drama with elements of black comedy. In Order of Disappearance follows mild-mannered Nils Dickman as he adopts violent means to avenge his son. The movie has a fairly involved plot stemming from its innocuous beginnings. Nils’ actions kick off a chaotic series of events that culminate in a full-blown drug war. The film’s intricate plot, bone-dry comedy, and understated storytelling style make it a unique watch.
In Order of Disappearance is somewhere between a moody tale of revenge and a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the same. The events are presented as straight-faced drama, and there’s a fair amount of cruel violence to be had. But the details of the film are deliberately absurd, from the quirks of Ole’s character to the mundane accidents that drive the plot. The result is an inventive story that mixes drama with comedy and serves them dry.
How much you get out of In Order of Disappearance will depend heavily on your taste in crime movies. The movie does not offer much in the way of conventional rewards. Its action is sparse, its humor is barely extant, and its revenge plot is nowhere near as glamorous other movies. But its peculiar plot, offbeat tone, and capable execution make it worth a watch for the curious. Skip it if you’re looking for straightforward thrills.
For an American remake with a nearly identical plot and comedy that’s a shade more explicit, try Cold Pursuit. For a quirky black comedy with some of the same sensibilities, try Fargo. For more violent, action-oriented tale of criminal enterprise gone wrong, try The Way of the Gun. For one that’s more comedic, try Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for dry delivery and an inventive plot.