It’s safe to say that Icelandic murder mystery is very much a niche genre and, for all its obvious accomplishment, Jar City is unlikely to change that. Coming from the same director of the outstanding 101 Reykjavik, Jar City feels like CSI on a very grisly trip.
When an ageing man is found dead, the only distinguishing aspect of the murder is how few leads the investigation have to progress with. The case unfolds through a myriad of forensic details and long-lost motives that manage to encompass most of humanity’s least savoury excesses.
Employing a greying colour scheme and a methodical narrative method, Jar City is immensely compelling if somewhat inaccessible. That said, the least appetising cinematic snack since Oldboy and some morbidly odd humour varies – if not lightens – the tone. Icelandophiles and connoisseurs of sophisticatedly real whodunits will adore Jar City but it doesn’t have the crossover potential of Tell No One.
