A tour of the tacky dance restaurants of postwar Scandinavia takes centre stage in this overlooked gem of a Danish film noir. It opens in Stockholm with a flashback to Oslo. For dancing partners John (Ebbe Rode) and Irene (Bodil Kjer), everything in life is about timing – mostly bad timing, that is. Their dream of a big break has long been replaced by a reality of run-down restaurants, shattered illusions, humiliations and fiery disagreements. They live in small, claustrophobic hotel rooms on their tour (almost no daylight is seen in the film), drifting from one city to another through Scandinavia. After a few performances in Stockholm, they return to Copenhagen where they are engaged to perform at the dance club Honolulu. But when Irene unexpectedly becomes pregnant, it sets off a downward spiral for the couple. The plot unfolds with many of the classic characteristics associated with film noir, but what is most poignant about this film is the emotional depth of the characters, thanks especially to Bodil Kjer, who is magnetic in the role of the disillusioned Irene, whose love for John moves like a dramatic rollercoaster between desperate dependence and hateful disdain. Popular Danish actor Ib Schønberg delivers one of his greatest supporting roles as the icy and alcoholic dance club owner Carlsen. Director Asbjørn Andersen is mostly forgotten in Danish film today, but he directed nine feature films while also featuring as an actor in more than 80 films. He directed John og Irene together with Anker Sørensen, who was also the film’s editor.

Sophie Engberg Sonne