After the Wedding / Efter brylluppet

Dir: Susanne Bier (Brothers / Brødre, Open Hears / Elsker dig for evigt)
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Rolf Lassgård, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Stine Fischer Christensen
Denmark/Sweden, 2007

Seen: May 20/07 at Carlton

Reason to see: Nominated for Best foreign language film of the year for the 79th Academy Awards, also for week 21 of see 1 film a week in the theatre for a year

Rarely does a film leave such a strong impression on me as After the Wedding did. After seeing it, I wanted everyone I know to see it, I didn't want to say what it was about or set it up just to get them out there to see it. I don't know of anyone who wouldn't get something from it, and honestly if I had read a plot synopsis about the film it may not have gotten me to see it. Although it's strongly plot based, it's a film seeped in emotions and family dynamics. I've not had such an emotional reaction to a film since watching Whale Rider (read: lots of kleenex required). Don't let the kleenex stop you if that isn't your thing, it's touching but not sentimental. It's believable, powerful and can make you mad all at the same time. The strength of the film clearly lies in the brilliant acting of the core characters the only one whom would likely to be known on this side of the pond is likely Mads Mikkelsen for his role as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale (2006).

This will likely be my favourite foreign film of 2007, and I say 2007 as that was the year of it's release here in Toronto.

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I'll buy it
I give it my highest recommendation

6 minutes of preshow including 1 commercials and 2 previews : I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Angel-A

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© Shannon Ridler, 2007