Movie: The wheelchair and the Trap
Director : Bilal Hussain
It is much safer to be feared than loved because …love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.”
Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince
It is power that takes the ‘human’ away from human beings, turning them into vengeful monsters without remorse.
The story chronicles the life of a young detective named Michelle Pedersen who is deceived by her corrupt colleague Farhad Kazami. She is shot several times when she arrives at the location suggested by Farhad with the intent of stopping a shipment of weapons smuggled illegally ( according to Farhad). The bullet wounds paralyze her for several years. She spends her time in bed with her mother, someone she is distant from. The reason for this cold relationship between mother and daughter is revealed later. Michelle’s mother confesses that she had been working for the Danish secret service that prevented her from spending more time with Michelle and her father.
The struggle of Michelle is portrayed impeccably by Theresa Søvig Poulsen. Her pain pushes her towards an abyss of despair. Her solitude sees no end and alcohol proves to be a stoic companion for her. Michelle eventually forgives her mother, Susan.
Susan subsequently assists Michelle get back on her feet.
After a few years the truth about Farhad is revealed to Michelle as she vows to take revenge by finding Farhad and find answers for the repugnant oblivion he pushed Michelle towards.
The characters of Michelle and Farhad serve as foils to each other. They represent the binaries of black and white. Michelle is an honest detective, loyal to her duties whereas Farhad is a power hungry vermin ready to strike the innocent at any moment. Their tale signifies the age old tussle between good and evil. A fight that would continue as indicated by Michelle towards the end of the movie.
The dialogues follow a brisk pace never appearing forced or overdone. The conversations appear real and pragmatic with a hint of humour in a number of lines.
The background score adds to the thrill of the movie the presence and absence of which follows the correct proportion. The sound designing team deserves credit for making the thriller more exciting.
The performances were good as the actors remained true to their characters. The way they delivered the lines was realistic as well.
The cinematography was decent as well although the gunshots (the graphics) could have been better.
Michelle utters a line towards the end of the movie that went something like: “Everything is not about money and power.” The line sums up the belief of the director in a nutshell. The belief about the potent presence of the good and the virtuous in a ruthless world, their eventual triumph over evil someday, perhaps.
The tussle between Michelle and Farhad is the eternal struggle between good and evil that shall go on forever, with the belief that one day light would get the better of darkness.
