Player (I) (2013) User Reviews

Clichéd & predictable, but decent entertainment.

[hjbuhrkall · 5/10 · 28 September 2015]

The righteous, "straight as an arrow" tax lawyer Michael Helge, are about to have everything he ever wanted; soon he is to marry his young fiancé the daughter of Michael Helge's boss, whom is soon about to make him partner in the law-firm… There is just the small matter of some unfinished business in the southern part of France.

Michael is, reluctantly, sent to deal with the form case of a millionaire divorce; even though he doesn't feel the idea of drinks, beaches & vacation has anything to do with a serious business-trip.

Upon arriving in the French airport, Michael is briefly reacquainted with his old classmate Theo, but has no intents of wasting his time, so he quickly hurries on his way.

The trip turns out as a complete disaster, and within 24 hours, Michael has his wallet stolen, had an affair with the clients soon to be ex-wife… oh, and he lost EU 1,3mill of his company's money - He has been thoroughly scammed.

With nowhere else to go, Michael now has to seek out Theo; a professional poker player living off his boat in the marina, where he picks up easy girls, party, and snorts coke on the side.

A simple plan develops to get back the money Michael lost; Theo will enter a highly illegal underground poker tournament, but the entry fee has to be paid from Michael's pension funds… now he truly has everything on the line.

The movie is easy to watch, and delivers a series of more or less humorous scenes. But the story is clichéd and predictable, and it builds up towards the "climax" at the poker tournament which turns out to be (in my opinion) a bit disappointing.

Do not watch this movie as a great masterpiece of cinema, because you will end up being disappointed. But watch it for what it is; as a piece of easy entertainment, with a somewhat subtle "love-story", spiced up with a number of enjoyable, laughable scenes.

Some laughs, but poor execution

[setchri · 3/10 · 13 November 2013]

The first half of Player is filled with laughs and tells a predictable, but fairly interesting story. Rasmus Bjerg is good as "straight man" and Casper Christensen does what he does best. We are presented with a lot of exciting characters, as the couple played by Lars Brygmann and Ellen Hillingsø. But about halfway through the film, it appears as if the director just gave up. There are so many plot holes that the film falls apart. Jokes which would normally have worked fall to the ground because you no longer believe in the tale you are being presented. The film's "climax" is the worst poker scene in the history of cinema. It would seem that no one working on this movie has ever played poker. This scene alone is enough to ruin the entire movie, but so many other scenes in the movie are so poorly executed that it is cringe worthy.

The first half is very enjoyable but the rest is just too stupid.

3 stars.

Well ... I liked it!

[mgulev · 8/10 · 2 November 2015]

Not being a big fan of either Rasmus Bjerg or Casper Christensen in the acting department, the parts they play are executed very well. In this movie, it seems, they are asked to play characters not far from their real life personas.

Rasmus Bjerg plays Helge, an attorney, who despite being extremely professional and well-prepared is about to screw things up and begin a journey of self-discovery.

Casper Christensen plays Theo his old, odd friend from boarding school (Herlufsholm) who helps Helge set things right and possibly get into contact with an attractive lady. Theo is not without his faults and here Helge has the opportunity to help his old friend get on the straight and narrow.

There are plenty of funny moments, character development and good acting all around. This movie shouldn't be compared to similar movies made with Hollywood budgets. It should be viewed for what it is: a Danish movie with a danish cast and a danish budget.

Funny anachronism with Casper Christensen

[rehams · 8/10 · 29 March 2021]

This movie would not be made today (2021) and that is why I like it.

The movie is a sort of Hangover like film, with two estranged childhood friends, having to deal with their own weaknesses and in turn discover their hidden strengths, all the while having a good old adventure and winning the princess in the end.

There's drugs, gambling and nudity.

There dialogue between comedy legends Casper Christensen and Rasmus Bjerre drive the film and it has a lot of laughs.

The two female leads play minor roles, but play their roles well, and of course are very pretty (actually hot).

So you can tell why such a film would not be made today, with our now Matriarchy being in power.

I enjoyed this film as a simple "drengerøvsfilm" with similar characteristics as Hangover and Entourage.