IR Film Review: BLACK CRAB [Netflix]
The idea of war where everything is based on faceless suffering in a greater context is an interesting diatribe especially with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in the last couple weeks. The spectre of a greater war and where the balance lies creates an interesting parallel of what people are willing to die for and what makes a difference. Noomi Rapace as an actor has always been interested in talking chances and moving against the grain while still exploring basic psychology and physical parameters. Her last film this reviewer saw was a shapeshifting surrealist ode in "You Are Not Alone" which played Sundance. "Black Crab" is a little more linear but still resides in the realm of putting herself through the wringer. Rapace has never been afraid of doing that all the way back to "Girl With A Dragon Tattoo" through "Prometheus" and beyond.
"Black Crab" is not an easy film but its concept on the notion of Armageddon and specifically what it means in a practical context and affectation is well structured. While it doesn't go into overall details and allows the destruction and killing to go on for the most part in the background.it does use the Swedish geography as a basis for its plot progression. Rapace and a selection of what seems like former military trainees displaced by the war are brought together for a mission that it seems some of them are qualified for and some are not.It is a bleak mission but one they rising to. That said, it involves skating over tracks of ice scattered in between fjords and open sea to reach a labratory structure in enemy territory on an island. While the reason tactically makes sense, the motivation for this inherent destination seems elusive beyond the journey it gives the characters to take. Removing some of the plot mechanics though, the characterization points of all 5 of the people engaged in this mission (save for one) are really solid and what propels the film.
The film has a budget without being garish and because of its ending balances the risks it can take. The power struggles, Darwinism, the primal and consequence is what motivates Rapace's character even if she or some of the other characters can't see it fully or sometimes too late. The film shifts in its 3rd act to something a little different but still maintains its MO while being both engaging and entertaining. It doesn't lull for sure. A brilliant at times score by Dead People brings to mind Vangelis from a different era. Some story sequences are not necessary yet really add a sense of place when blended both with the music and texture. One scene around a dinner table goes horribly wrong for no specific reason except that it is the nature of living in a state of heightened emotion in a certain situation where all moves made are basically wrong no matter what. "Black Crab" is another interesting, slightly subversive but still well made and entertaining vehicle fo Rapace who has her pulse on what works even if the story itself, despite being based on a novel, omits certain points. B
By Tim Wassberg
