Film reviews: A Hijacking | White Elephant | Gangs of Wasseypur (Parts 1 and 2)

A Hijacking (15)

Star rating: * * * *

In this taut thriller written and directed by Borgen’s Tobias Lindholm, Somali pirates hijack a ship and hold the crew to ransom. The ship’s cook (Pilou Asbaek) becomes the intermediary for the negotiations. Confident and suspenseful.

Glasgow Film Theatre and Cameo, Edinburgh, from Friday. Dundee Contemporary Arts from 31 May

White Elephant (15)

Star rating: * * * *

Pablo Trapero’s social realist parable about good intentions focuses on two priests (Ricardo Darin and Jeremie Renier) waging a losing battle for souls in a Brazilian shanty town.

Glasgow Film Theatre and Dundee Contemporary Arts, from Friday

Gangs Of Wasseypur (Parts 1 and 2) (18)

Star rating: * * *

This Indian saga traces the rise of Godfather-style families from the 1940s. It’s invigorating, eye-popping stuff, and not even Tarantino would have thought of including dance numbers in the action.

On selected release from Friday

Thursday Till Sunday (12A)

Star rating: * * *

A Chilean family take a three-day trip in their old car. The two kids witness the break-up of their parents’ marriage, and while it’s nicely acted, this is a slow-moving vehicle.

Glasgow Film Theatre, Wednesday and Thursday

Deadfall (15)

Star rating: * *

Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde play siblings who rob a casino then get stranded in Canada on Thanksgiving. A contrived wannabe Freudian noir.

On general release from Friday

The Reluctant Fundamentalist (15)

Star rating: * *

Riz Ahmed as a young Pakistani on Wall Street who becomes disillusioned by America after 9/11. There’s more soap than significance in Mira Nair’s disappointing drama.

On general release from Friday

F*** For Forest (18)

Star rating: * *

A Berlin-based collective fundraise for environmental causes by making online porn. As much fun as it sounds.

Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Tuesday to Thursday. Dundee Contemporary Arts, Wednesday

Siobhan Synnot