His first assignment.
Meet private detective Robert Bogerud. He is unlike other private detectives; he has not had a single client because potential clients turn away every time they meet him. Why? Well, because he has Down syndrome. But suddenly, one day, an older woman shows up at his office. She is looking for her missing husband and private detective Robert Bogerud gets his first assignment.
It’s only positive that movies like “Detective Downs” exist. There are many taboos, and movies like “Detective Downs” may make people see individuals with conditions like Down syndrome a little differently. They are people too, and I must commend Svein André Hofsø Myhre for his portrayal of the private detective. He is very good in the role and captures the darker humor that emerges in various situations.
The movie itself is decent enough; it entertains, but it has some significant problems. The biggest problem is the script, which is quite weak. What works best is the dark humor. However, there are moments of tension and poor dramaturgy that cause the spark to disappear. The poor dramaturgy is downright cringe-worthy; we don’t need that in a movie like this.
What the movie should have focused on the most was the darker humor and bizarre situations. It doesn’t work with darker tones and a bit of family drama in this universe because the characters are poorly written. They lack depth entirely.
I laughed hard several times, but using the word “mongo” too often just felt wrong. It wasn’t funny at all. And why were the police officers so mean to a person with Down syndrome? Sure, you’re supposed to dislike them, but honestly, they were a mob bullying a burnt-out father who has a son with Down syndrome. At the same time, they were rude when the son showed up as well. Some aspects just didn’t work well here.
Another significant problem, as usual, is the Norwegian actors and the artificial dialogue they engage in. I’ve mentioned this in previous reviews regarding Norwegian movies. I thought we were past these issues in general, but the problem keeps resurfacing. It felt like I was watching a TV theater production from the last century. I just don’t understand why we still have this problem at a time when Norwegian cinema has made significant strides in the right direction.
“Detective Downs” is an uneven movie, but it’s saved by a brilliant performance by Svein André Hofsø Myhre, who plays the charming private detective. I saw more potential here that was never fully realized. They could have created a Norwegian version of the delightful “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Regardless, this is a movie worth watching as it stands out from the crowd, not just among Norwegian movies but internationally as well. It’s positive that they’re trying something new, and director Bård Breien deserves credit for that.