NORTHWEST is a slice-of-life drama from Denmark with all of the grittiness and street realism you could wish for. Casper is an unlikeable street thug and burglar, carrying out petty crime for his gangland bosses, and the film follows his journey as he rises through the ranks when working for a new and violent employer. The film does well to avoid sentimentalising its subject matter, and the events depicted are handled well with suspense and sudden outbursts of violence in equal measure. Stylically, it feels similar to the likes of PUSHER, KIDULTHOOD, and the like. It's a downbeat film for sure, perhaps a little too dark and unemotional at times, and the only flaw is the ambiguous ending which abruptly closes the picture just as it gets really going.

This movie relates the story of a young man living in a modest suburb in Denmark. Skilled burglar, he will try to rise the grade of the criminal underworld, underestimating the dangerousness of the consequences of his acts. Far from Hollywood gangster movies, the way this movie was recorded, the scenery as well as the actor's performances plunge the viewer into a deeply realistic violence. Interestingly, the film maker (Michael Noer) succeeded in showing a violence that will knot your stomach without being gore at all which is very rare nowadays. An excellent movie, in the direct line of Gomorra (Matteo Garrone), in a radically different geographical situation.

The review's I have read above are very much accurate in their description and rating of the movie. So I will not speculate further on this matter. This review is merely to bring some supplementary information to the table. First and foremost I must tell that I live 1 mile from where the movie takes place, but in a, crime wise, less exposed area. The story portrays the development of North West very well and in according to the organized crime trends we see in Copenhagen. The director was so passionate about making this movie "real", which is seen by the actor who plays Bjørn, who is actually an ex-con (who have now devoted his life to help people get out of their life as criminals). I must say that this movie left a big impression on me, and helped explain how the young people living in the tough areas around Copenhagen gets exposed to criminal behavior and therefore are easier to slip into a wrong path. I look forward to see more form the director, Michael Noer and the main character, Gustav Dyekjær Giese and his younger brother (who also plays his younger brother in the movie), Oscar Dyekjær Giese.

Even in the welfare society, it is difficult for a single mother to raise 3 children, particularly if two are teens whose need for money and approval is high. And less decent neighborhood includes several lures difficult to resist... Such is the background where two brothers Casper and Andy - leading characters of the film - have to cope. Surroundings is ugly and hard, with lots of gangs and violence, and outside help is scarcely available (incl. police or special organisations) - apart from adult criminals (such as Bjørn or Jamal) eager to use the youngsters' unshaped personality. But sooner or later, you have to make choices, and in such a way living, it is usually between bad and worse... The ending scenes are logical, although the very end could have been less brusque; well, it was intentional, I guess, for viewers pondering on and over.The cast is rather uneven, the real brothers Dyekjær Gieses depict Casper and Andy well and in a realistic manner, but all the others were uninviting to me. The plot seemed unsteady, floating as well, some scenes remained incomplete or provided no additional meaning to the film. Or I am just unable to see more values because I have been "spoiled" by distinguishable acting (e.g. Mikkelsens, Bodnia, Lie Kaas) and more sophisticated plots (e.g. Vinterberg, Vinding Refn) visible in Danish films.