New Int'l. Release

Cold Feet

Kalde Fotter (Norway)

By LESLIE FELPERIN

A Columbia Tristar Nordisk Film Distributors release (in Norway) of a Nordisk Film, You Are Here presentation, with the support of the Norsk Filmfond, TV2, Tilskudd Etter Markedsvurdering. (International sales: Nordisk, Copenhagen, Norway.) Produced by Brede Hovland. Executive producer, Aage Aaberge.
Directed by Alexander Eik. Screenplay, Thomas Moldestad.
 
With: Lasse Valdal, Sarah Elise Steensby, Andreas Blix Henriksen, Hanna Kavli Lund.

 

Sex toys, erotic dysfunction and commitment phobia all play a major role in bawdy but ultimately sweet-natured Norwegian comedy "Cold Feet." Sporting an attractive cast and more than a few good gags, sophomore feature from helmer Alexander Eik ("Kvinnen I mitt liv") received a warm, if not blazing, B.O. reception at home following its October 2006 opening.

Too-cool-for-school Kalle (Jake Gyllenhaal-lookalike Lasse Valdal) returns to his small Norwegian hometown after making his fortune Stateside. When his ex-girlfriend Trine (blond bombshell Sarah Elise Steensby) gets engaged to Christer (Andreas Blix Henriksen), who has a chronic premature ejaculation problem, Kalle decides to sabotage their relationship by hiring vampy Veronica (Hanna Kavli Lund) to seduce Christer. His machinations work, but only up to the point where Veronica realizes she really likes Kalle -- and Trine, post split with Christer, starts having regrets. Wry subplots feature Christer's sex-mad mom and pop and Trine's druggie parents. Comic highpoint -- or nadir, depending on one's point of view -- involves a deodorant can being seriously misused. Tech credits are sturdy, while soundtrack reps a mix of good (The Cramps) and bad (composer Magnus Beite's too intrusive nonsource underscoring).

Camera (color), Jo Eken Torp; editor, Perry Eriksen; music, Magnus Beite; production designer, Tuva Holmebakk; costume designer, Kjell Nordstrom. Reviewed on DVD, Hoveton, U.K., May 18, 2007. Original title: Kalde Fotter. Norwegian, English dialogue. Running time: 80 MIN.