First word on Far from the Madding Crowd has been a bit muted (though we quite liked it), but the arrival of a new Thomas Vinterberg film should only be a good thing. Those wishing to ring it in with a bit of panache might want to direct their eyes toward Last Round, the director’s graduate-school thesis film and second-earliest official credit. Thanks to the magic of the Internet, what was once a bit difficult to find is now free and easy to stream.
Although the Vimeo link has an Ikiru comparison in its description, this work has a bit more of Psycho‘s first act to it, plot-wise, and a greater bit of amusing debauchery than either classic can lay claim to. (Depending on how you feel about paperwork, cross-dressing, and murder, that is.) This is a beautiful piece of work, regardless — a reminder of how humane and termite-like Vinterberg can be when he’s in full force. The mere fact that Madding Crowd has the same helmer should be enough to get you looking up listings.
Watch it below:
Did you enjoy Last Round? What are your thoughts on Vinterberg’s work?