After the Wedding
August 26th 2007 23:37
Exiting the cinema, nearly every attendee cast their red eyes downwards on the Chauvel's carpet. No mirthful talk in the lobby, as the audience was stunned, I believe, into a deeply inward trance.
After the Wedding is one of the most heartbreaking, emotional films that I have ever witnessed on screen.
It would be cruel to tell you what it's about, so I'll avoid that trap, except for the setup. Mads Mikkelsen plays Jacob, a Danish man who runs an orphanage in India. The orphanage is going under, but a wealthy Danish businessman is promising to donate money, if Jacob will come back to Denmark to meet him.
The opening scenes are tough to watch... the poverty of India is contrasted with the clean, luxurious life in Denmark. Jacob has lived for years in a simple environment, and even the opulence of his hotel room seems ludicrous.
While the beginning of the movie is interesting enough, it's hardly new ground, and it doesn't avoid cliche... Bier's movie takes a steep nosedive plunge, though, and veers off into a new territory.
The title of the movie might suggest that it's about a wedding; in fact, the wedding takes up about 55 seconds of screen time. What happens after the wedding is when all semblance of normality depart the building, and you'll be torn into pieces.
Sure, the plot is a little wild and unruly, but Bier's strength is that she's content to move her camera at all times, giving the audience the idea of disorientation. The raw emotional delivery of the scenes is nailed perfectly by this uncompromising cast. Mikkelsen, Rolf Lassgard and Sidse Babett Knudsen play their parts to an unbelievable level - there's a scene in a kitchen with just the three actors, and it's so damn intense that you might forget to breathe.
Bier doesn't let up, though... the plot relaxes for a second, giving you time to readjust yourself in the seat, and then it gets much, much more emotional.
Sitting through this, choked up, I felt the same type of dread that I've felt in superb horror movies. It was almost too much.
I dare you to see this in the cinemas and not bawl like a lost child.
After the Wedding is a superb film, definitely one of the best that I've seen in 2007, and it's been very well received around the world. It would be a great shame if you missed it.
While the concepts explored in After the Wedding are naturally emotional, Bier heightens the reality of the film by giving her actors no space in the frame. They fill the screen, showing us every grief-filled movement, every inch of rage. This is a magnificent delivery of raw emotion, and one that will make you recoil from the abrupt harshness of life.
I say: An absolute must-see. If you see nothing else, go check this film out.
See it for: Mikkelsen is just so damn good to watch. He played the villain in Casino Royale, but I'll always remember him as the guy that didn't like sushi in the Danish drug thriller, Pusher.
*this image is from the IMDb site on the film
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
What a great review, I really want to see this film and even more so now after reading what you said.
I saw Mads Mikkelsen in Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself which is a confronting film and very good, but I didn’t see Pusher (but want to).
Phew, it sounds emotionally exhausting, but worth it. I’ll pop back when I’ve seen it and let you know what I think.
Tracy
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I might have to leave it for a bit as I'm already exhausted, but it's definitely one I want to see. I like films like this one that challenge and affect me.
Byee
Comment by Miswanderlust
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I will definitely check it out! Great review!
Mis
Comment by Cibbuano
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mis, great! Tell me what you think!
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
after your fantastically open, frank review, I must go in search of this flim on DVD!
These sorts of intense films are always a catharthis for me, and so, I'll go hunt it down...
Well done as always...
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Cibbuano
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I'm guessing that you might love this one - let me know how it goes!