Not only was Jake's character over the top, but the callers were too. This film had some early intrigue for me, and could have worked, but wow...the over acting and nonsensical drama was too much! I also felt like they were trying hard to do the "one room/no cuts" vibe, but it was truly a painful experience, and I usually like those kind of films. This one did not work for me...I can't believe how highly it is rated.

I guess I'm in the minority and thought JG's performance was really good, which contributed to the overall quality (as it would considering its just him in a couple of rooms). He was a jerk under a lot of stress, and he came across like that. The original Danish version is better though - from what I remember the story is almost exactly the same, except that in the original we're not force fed an ending about his character and it allowed us to make our own conclusions.

@cpheonix said:

I guess I'm in the minority and thought JG's performance was really good, which contributed to the overall quality (as it would considering its just him in a couple of rooms). He was a jerk under a lot of stress, and he came across like that. The original Danish version is better though - from what I remember the story is almost exactly the same, except that in the original we're not force fed an ending about his character and it allowed us to make our own conclusions.

I didn't realize this was a US remake of a Danish film...sadly, I'm not sure I could suffer another go. And for the record: I normally enjoy JG in films. so this is an anomaly. Actually, it might even be more of an issue with Direction or the Edit, but whatever it was, it was not good.

@Daddie0 said:

I didn't realize this was a US remake of a Danish film...sadly, I'm not sure I could suffer another go. And for the record: I normally enjoy JG in films. so this is an anomaly. Actually, it might even be more of an issue with Direction or the Edit, but whatever it was, it was not good.

I do highly recommend the Danish version but completely understand where you're coming from. I watched this more out of interest in how it would be remade.

As said, it pretty much has exactly the same plot except making things more obvious, but otherwise the acting in the original was definitely more toned down. I felt there was more tension in that as well (although that may be to do with me knowing the story/twist before watching the US version).

@cpheonix said:

I guess I'm in the minority and thought JG's performance was really good, which contributed to the overall quality (as it would considering its just him in a couple of rooms). He was a jerk under a lot of stress, and he came across like that. The original Danish version is better though - from what I remember the story is almost exactly the same, except that in the original we're not force fed an ending about his character and it allowed us to make our own conclusions.

I kinda want to see the original Danish version now, because to me the only (minor) fault was the exaggerated ending. I agree the point is that his character is a total jerk, unhinged, unbalanced and with a righteous/martyr complex. Definitely a hard contrast to the too-cool-for-school Hollywood tv detectives we’ve been spoon fed for decades.

I don’t know how the police are seen in Denmark, but I thought Jake’s performance really suited the current perception of the police in America. The only part I couldn’t buy, like I said was the ending which seemed a bit overplayed to give the audience closure. But the rest of his performance was perfect. Anyone expecting his character to be a rational “heroic” protagonist will definitely be confused.

@mechajutaro said:

That's a pity. He played an emotionally unbalanced yet honorable cop well in Prisoners

Agreed, great performance in that