Stealing Rembrandt

Stealing Rembrandt is a Danish crime comedy movie released in 2002, directed by Jannik Johansen. The movie stars Lars Brygmann, Jakob Cedergren, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the lead roles. The story revolves around the two bumbling buddies, Michael (Lars Brygmann) and Simon (Jakob Cedergren), who dream to become rich and have a luxurious life. But they lack the skill set, intelligence and execution to achieve their goal. Their obsession with Rembrandt, the world-famous Dutch painter, leads to a series of comic mishaps and dramatic encounters with dangerous criminals.

The story of Stealing Rembrandt begins at a museum, where Michael and Simon work as security guards. Michael is a fan of Rembrandt and wants to write a thesis on the famous Dutch painter, but he cannot get a hold of the original paintings. Simon, on the other hand, dreams of getting rich and is always looking for shortcuts to earn cash. One day, they learn about a Rembrandt painting that is about to be auctioned, and the price could reach millions. This sets them on a mission to steal the painting, which sets in motion a chain of events that they could not have expected in their wildest dreams.

The two friends team up with a small-time criminal, Franck (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), to carry out the heist. But soon their plan falls apart when they realize that they've stolen the wrong painting, and instead of the original Rembrandt, they have taken a worthless copy. Adding to their worries, a ruthless gangster, Solo (Steven Berkoff), is also after the stolen painting and has his sights set on them. Solo and his men are willing to do whatever it takes to get the painting back, including killing anyone who comes in their way.

As things spiral out of control, Michael and Simon become increasingly desperate to save themselves and their families. They discover that Franck has his own agenda and has been playing them all along. They also find themselves in the middle of a power struggle between Solo and other rival gangsters.

The movie is a perfect blend of comedy, suspense, and action. The humor is subtle, and the comedic timing by the lead actors is impeccable. The audience can relate to the characters, despite their questionable actions, and can see their motivations for their actions. The film also gives an insight into the art world and the lengths some people would go to get their hands on a valuable painting.

Lars Brygmann and Jakob Cedergren are spot on as the clumsy yet lovable friends. Their chemistry is fantastic, and they play off each other's strengths and weaknesses perfectly. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, better known as Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones, delivers an exceptional performance as Franck, the smooth-talking criminal. His character adds a new dimension to the film and adds to the suspense as his motives are kept hidden throughout the story.

The direction by Jannik Johansen is top-notch, with a fantastic screenplay by Anders Thomas Jensen. The movie has a great pace, and the seamless editing keeps the audience engaged throughout. The cinematography by Erik Zappon is equally impressive.

In conclusion, Stealing Rembrandt is an entertaining crime-comedy movie that keeps the audience on their toes. The film delivers on all fronts, with excellent performances, well-crafted script, breathtaking visuals and an engaging storyline that is both humorous and suspenseful. It's a must-watch for those who enjoy comedy as well as action-packed thrillers.