THE MIDDLE MAN is out now in UK Cinemas.
Set around the quirky concept of a town which hires a person to tell the bad news, from simple car crash to murder, THE MIDDLE MAN, is a bit of a one off in many ways.
Whether intended as part comedy, part tragedy, or dramedy, THE MIDDLE MAN, is part of a recent trend in storytelling. Exploring the human condition, it freely uses well know setting tropes to frame complex, conflicted characters, then pits them against themselves almost as much as each other. The good thing is that because the audience already know the world in which the story is set so well, it gives far more room for character exploration. It is also fairly restful to watch, as the audience do not have to take in complex story worlds, of which there are so many now thanks to modern VFX/FX techniques. Everyone understands what small town America looks and feels like, and even if the hamlet where THE MIDDLE MAN unfolds is actually fictional, the film still imparts a sense of ease for the viewer.
This sense of background familiarity is what makes THE MIDDLE MAN so effective. Norwegian writer/director Brent Hamer, is left free to explore the central characters quirks, their layers and their stories in a more realistic, subtle, in-depth way, without period, Fantasy or Sci-Fi backdrops distracting his audience. Brent Hamer’s story also feeds in a sense of heightened reality, magic-reality and humour, even if the actual stories are mundane. The film is also helped enormously by great cinematography. The town of Karmak, which is as strong a character as the human ones are, is ably lensed by multi award winning cinematographer, John Christian Roesenlund. THE MIDDLE MAN, has excellent, stylish framing and angles. This is no bells and whistles golden bathed drama though, the lines and angles all add up to increase the claustrophobia and repressed feel of the characters journeys.
THE MIDDLE MAN is also in many ways, a social blend. There’s a lot of small-town north America in there fore sure, but it’s underpinned by a Nordic sense of irony and patience, which historically this part of the USA has also, always had.
However, last but by no means least is the great casting. Norwegian actor Pal Sverre Hagen plays the central figure of, THE MIDDLE MAN, ‘Frank’ in an understated, but very engaging, paced way. It was also an excellent choice to cast ‘Due South’ star, Paul Gross as the Sherriff. He has the perfect blend of irony, humour and talent to act as a counterweight to the almost hapless Frank.
Written by fellow filmmaker Jane A. Foster who loves to champion all independent, diverse and original films.
