91热爆

According to Danish director Susanne Bier, humanity resides between a rock and a hard place. Like her previous films (Open Hearts, Brothers), After The Wedding is an unabashed melodrama about a family torn apart by the randomness of life. As usual the performances are strong; Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) excelling as a sullen aid worker uprooted from India to confront his past. It's a good thing too as the plot is about as subtly orchestrated as a pop star's nuptials.

With the Indian orphanage he works for in desperate need of a cash injection, Jacob (Mikkelsen) returns to Denmark to schmooze businessman and reputed philanthropist J酶rgen (Rolf Lassg氓rd). Unfortunately Jacob isn't 'a people person' and, in fact, has a special axe to grind with fat rich blokes. It certainly doesn't help matters that J酶rgen has married the love of Jacob's life (Sidse Babett Knudsen). Then, when he realises that J酶rgen has also been playing dad to the daughter he never knew he had, it only makes Jacob tetchier.

"INTRIGUING"

Another skeleton comes tumbling out of the closet later on, inflating the drama to almost comedic heights. However it also makes sense of earlier coincidences and carefully measured acting does keep the story grounded in reality. There are no truly profound revelations, but the tension between Jacob and J酶rgen (the self-centred aid worker vs. the benevolent businessman) is intriguing. Mikkelsen pulls off an especially tricky feat, conveying the deep-seated insecurities of a man who is otherwise emotionally retarded. This mightn't be as fun as a Big Fat Greek Wedding, but there's at least as many broken plates afterwards...

In Danish, Swedish, Hindi and English with subtitles.

After The Wedding (Efter Brylluppet) is released in UK cinemas on Friday 9th March 2007.