ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

THEY SAY that charity begins at home. A flippant remark is the basis of a powerful, haunting story in ‘After The Wedding’, the latest film from Danish director Susanne Bier.

Bier made ‘Open Hearts and Brothers’, both released in Britain, and this continues her fascination with the way ordinary, orderly lives are disrupted by the most unexpected of events.

A complex, satisfying tale of the conflict between individual actions and collective responsibility, it was one of the five nominees for the Best Foreign Film at the Oscars last month.

Seen as Bond villain Le Chiffre in ‘Casino Royale’, Mads Mikkelsen is one of Denmark’s most admired and prolific actors. He shows why he is held in such regard with a powerful, heartfelt performance that lies at the very heart of ‘After The Wedding’.

Mikkelsen’s Jacob runs an orphanage in one of the poorest regions of India. He reluctantly flies home to meet wealthy businessman Jorgen (Rolf Lassgard), who might be willing to fund the orphanage for the next four years.

Jorgen invites him to his daughter’s wedding, where it becomes apparent that Jacob once knew Jorgen’s wife. There are further revelations to come as the story stays one jump ahead of the viewer and we gradually become aware of the bigger picture.

There are times when ‘After The Wedding’ seems overwrought and heavily reliant on coincidence, but this is all part of the intention behind a smart screenplay.

Well-acted and perceptive, the film takes all the elements of a classic melodrama and transforms them into something much more raw and intense. Jacob has been determined to make a difference to the world but in doing so may have neglected matters that are closer to home and closer to his heart. It is a story that holds lessons for us all.

Selected nationwide release
© Allan Hunter, 2007

Director: Susanne Bier
Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Rolf Lassgard, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Stine Fischer Christensen, Christian Tafdrup.
Screenwriter: Anders Thomas Jensen based on a story by Susanne Bier
Certificate: 15
Running time: 122 mins
Country: Denmark
Year: 2006