Pusher II Movie Review

Pusher II (2004)

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Written by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Leif Sylvester, Anne Sørensen
Rated: NR [R}
Watch the trailer

Plot
Tonny is released from prison, again. This time he has his mind set on changing his broken down life, but that is easier said than done.

Verdict
This is more of a character study on Tonny who appeared in the first movie. We delve into his life, looking at why and who he is. Most of the movie is one rash scheme after another until he runs out of ideas. Similar to the first movie, this doesn't make the criminal lifestyle seem enticing. Tonny is stuck trying to scrape by while still trying to impress his father. In the first movie it seemed like he was overcompensating, and in this movie we see why. Tonny is playing tough trying to impress his father to no avail.
It depends.

Review
Winding Refn didn't intend to make a sequel to the original. Tonny (Mads Mikkelsen) was the sidekick in the first movie. To start this movie, Tonny is getting scolded or embarrassed in early scenes. Based on the first movie it's not unwarranted. He seemed to act before thinking, and that's continuing here. Tonny is trying to get a job from his dad, the local crime boss. Tonny's dad doesn't want to have anything to do with him. I get it. Dad knows Tonny is a lot of talk.

Mads Mikkelsen plays Tonny

Tonny is trying to figure out life after being released. He's then hit with the fact that he may have a child he did't know about. His first instinct is to avoid the situation which is no surprise. Tonny has managed to skate based on the reputation of his father. I'd guess that gave him more opportunities than most. You get why Tonny is this way. He's been trying to please and impress his father. His loudness in manner and dress is part of that, a facade to appear more than he is.

Tonny teams up with a pimp in another rash plan. Every step of this movie is Tonny getting in deeper while trying to find a way to survive, but it never goes his way. We see he's irresponsible, lacking any forethought. Towards the end it seems like he realizes what he's gotten into and that it's gone too far, but at that point his options are few. You root for Tonny to turn it around. With the ending, you can think he's ready to take on more responsibility, but it also could just as easily be another reckless decision. He certainly doesn't have a plan for what's next.