Adam’s Apples

'œThe word 'quirky' was invented to describe movies such as Adam's Apples,' said Jan Stuart in Newsday. This violent black comedy from Denmark uses broad metaphor and off-center humor to explore religion and morality. At a country church run by a humorless but optimistic vicar named Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen), several criminals must work off their state-ordered community service. Ivan's latest candidate for rehabilitation is his toughest case yet—the neo-Nazi Adam (Ulrich Thomsen), who spruces up his new room by nailing a portrait of Hitler to the wall. 'œI'm sure there's a decent black comedy in this material, but Adam's Apples isn't it,' said V.A. Musetto in the New York Post. Ivan assigns Adam to care for the church's apple tree, which is soon attacked by worms, crows, and a bolt of lightning. Ivan assures him that God's will is at work, and though Adam doesn't necessarily believe it, he picks up a Bible to take a look. God and the devil seem to be battling for Adam's soul. It's never clear whether this a joke or a morality play, said Matt Zoller Seitz in The New York Times. 'œSmart-aleck comedy and spirituality aren't incompatible, but in Adam's Apples they cancel each other out.' By trying to be hip, director Anders Thomas Jensen sacrifices his film's thoughtfulness.

Rating: R

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