The Danish heist thriller ‘The Quiet Ones’, directed by Frederik Louis Hviid, explores a complex robbery scenario in Copenhagen. The film, inspired by a significant real-life heist, runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes and is presented in Danish, English, and Swedish with subtitles.
The plot revolves around a meticulous plan to use garbage trucks to block major roads, allowing thieves to raid a cash-handling firm. However, the film’s execution falters under the weight of its numerous moving parts.
The film begins with an ambitious one-take robbery scene filmed from inside an armored van. As the narrative progresses, Slimani, portrayed by Reda Kateb, recruits Kasper, played by Gustav Giese, to strategize the heist. Kasper’s background as a family man and boxer adds depth to his character, yet the film struggles to maintain clarity amidst its chaotic storytelling.
Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, the film attempts to weave in relevant themes, but many aspects feel disjointed. The heist itself takes up over 20 minutes of screen time, yet the director fails to effectively portray the simultaneous actions of the robbers, garbage truck drivers, police, and security personnel.
Despite its intriguing premise, ‘The Quiet Ones’ leaves much to be desired in terms of narrative coherence, ultimately falling short of the sleek storytelling that the real-life heist warranted. The film is currently in theaters.
For more information, visit The New York Times.