The Hunt - On Target!

The Danish, foreign language film, The Hunt, is as chilling as the bittercold winter in this small, idyllic village.  It appears a village of brotherly love.  Everyone knows one another, or so it seemed. Mads Mikkelson, a former Bond villian, is convincing as Lucas, a benevolent kindergarden teacher, esteemed by his students and peers.  Until, his best friend's daughter, "said something stupid," to the school head after her brother taunts her with erotic male photos & Lucas rebuffed her overt affections.  "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." (Blake)  Lucas' life becomes a living Hell after reports of sexual child abuse are brought to the police.  Lucas is quickly ostracized and savagely attacked based on the girl's  false accusations.  There are those who believe that "children never lie," & there are those who believe "children often life."  Once that clarion bell of abuse is rung, it cannot be unrung.  A person's life & credibility can be permanently shot down in instant.  Of course, there is the omnipresent fear for the safety of our children.  As Theo, the girl's father & Lucas' lifelong best friend says, "There is so much evil in the world, if we hold on to each other it will go away."  The Hunt is disturbingly accurate how easy it becomes to turn a man into a scapegoat.  This movie gouges under your skin.