Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Very disappointing...

Fresh and Exciting

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

After the Wedding (Efter brylluppet, 2006) seems like it should be a large movie—it begins internationally, depicting issues like poverty and homelessness that affect millions around the globe. Quickly though, the focus zooms in on several people who are very closely connected though somewhat of an odd history, forcing the viewer to examine what exactly is required to love someone. Jacob (Mads Mikkelson) manages an Indian orphanage, but is called back to Denmark by a businessman to try and secure more funds for the orphanage. He is offered the funding, but of course there is a twist, made clear following a series of big reveals; Jørgen (Rolf Lassgård), the businessman, requires Jacob to remain in Denmark and begin managing some of the company. As Jacob is actually the biological father of Jørgen's daughter, Jørgen wants him close by to care for the family following his impending death. The film explores the ideas of control, love, and doing one's duty with an interesting take on what constitutes a family.There are several aspects of control seen throughout the film. Jørgen, as a powerful businessman, is used to having people do his bidding. He also knows that he is dying, resulting in his necessary composure despite such unfortunate circumstances. Troubles arise when he tries to extend his control to Jacob, a man who is used to being independent. Jacob resists, feeling that Jørgen is trying to buy him, but gives in when he discovers the exact nature of the request. Helene is also trying to control the situation—she is understandably mad at Jacob for cheating on her, and initially tries to restrict his contact with the family and herself. She eventually sees his value though, leading to the next theme of the film: love.After the Wedding contains numerous interesting relationships, mainly ones that aren't necessarily seen in many other contexts. In India, Jacob is especially close to one of the boys at the orphanage. He acts as a father figure to the boy, but is ultimately forced to leave and has to go back on promises made. The dynamic between the adults in the film is what is the most fascinating though; Jacob is Anna's biological father, from a previous relationship with Helene. Helene then married Jørgen in part to secure a future for Anna. Jørgen is dying though, and wants Jacob to be around to support the family. Jacob's connection to Anna is apparent, although awkward at first. When they first talk in his hotel room, the tension between them is almost painful to watch. Anna begins to open up to Jacob though, which eventually causes Helene to realize that she does still care for him. While she never answers the question about whether or not she'll get back together with Jacob, it's clear that the family cares for him and he is present in their lives. The final theme is an exploration of what it means to do one's duty, especially in keeping with promises that were made. Jacob is the primary vehicle through which we explore this. He is forced back to Denmark to secure more funds for the orphanage, despite a strong desire to remain with the children. Once there, he puts up with a seemingly distant and eccentric Jørgen in the hope of keeping the orphanage open. Jørgen's obligation to his family drives him to find Jacob in the first place, and admit to himself that he must take action to secure their future. The film makes use of many close ups, especially on the face and eyes. In a story so driven by emotion, it makes sense that this would be a focus. Frequently, the larger picture is ignored for a close look at exactly what each character is feeling at the moment. Their emotions are strong and complicated, so taking a moment to dissect them is really helpful. I enjoyed After the Wedding, but it didn't grip me as completely as other films I've seen. However, I think the suspense of the reveal was ruined by the strange actions of Jørgen that led up to it. There were also times where I felt the stony faced acting could have shown a little more depth. I was also ultimately unsatisfied by some aspects of the ending—after so much build up, I feel the viewers deserved slightly more. The film presents interesting ideas, but the lack of resolution means that some of the impact is lost. It's worth a watch, but not one of my favorites.

This close to reality drama directed by Susanne Bier tells the story of a Danish orphanage manager, Jacob, who is requested by a wealthy Danish citizen to leave Bombay, India and the kids he has become so close with only to return to Denmark to discuss the possibility of funding. This wealthy citizen, Jorgen, provides the best accommodations for Jacob and even ends up inviting Jacob to his daughter's wedding. It seems out of sheer chance that Jacob runs into a woman, Helene, with whom he had a romance with 20 years ago, and she also happens to be Jorgen's wife and the mother of the bride. The bride, Anna, consequently makes a speech during the dinner that confesses although Jorgen is not her biological father, he has been present for her entire life and has supported her dreams. Jacob immediately realizes there is a big chance Anna is his daughter. After Helene's confirmation, Jacob begins to get to know his daughter while Jorgen seemingly stalls the funding process for the orphanage. We soon find out exactly what Jorgen's intentions have been all along. I give this film such a high score in regards to stars because of the purity and realistic nature of the acting. The plot and story even felt as though it could have been taken from real events. Mads Mikkelson (Jacob), Rolf Lassgard (Jorgen), Sidse Babett Knudsen (Helene), and Stine Fisher Christiansen (Anna) all provide performances that are credible and subtle. The acting found in this film is not acting that would be found in the typical Hollywood film where over-the-top is generally celebrated.The theme of fidelity and infidelity is visited many times in After the Wedding. 20 years prior to the time this film takes place during, Jacob cheats on Helene, which resulted in her leaving him. Mirroring the circumstances of her mother 20 years prior, Anna walks in on her new husband having sex with a friend of hers. We see the devastation that Anna goes through as well as the devastation that Helene remembers from 20 years ago. The only faithful man in this film (among the main characters) is Jorgen, who ends up sacrificing himself somewhat in order to provide the best life for his family after he is gone. As for cinematic techniques, or rather themes, there were countless extreme close ups of eyes. Not just eyes of living characters, but also of mounted taxidermy animals on the walls of Jorgen's house. It is entirely possible that these close ups are used to show the deep emotions that are being felt by these characters, but why the taxidermy animal eyes? It may be an image that connects both life and death, which is what Jorgen is struggling with. It could also be more literal in the fact that eyes are always watching a person and their actions. This still remains a mystery to me, however.Philanthropy and the good will of people come through this film as well. Jacob was originally a free-spirited drunk which is referred to many times, but it seems as though his philanthropic deeds have saved his life (as well as others). The children at the orphanage and those that work there are portrayed as being good, honest, humble people that are not tainted by drama. The children are a symbol for all that is innocent in comparison to the themes of infidelity and non-truths by the Danish characters. After the Wedding is a fresh look at the differences between the haves and the have nots of society and the problems that plague each of them. As Jorgen leaves this world, he gives his money to those that need it in addition to taking care of his family. Towards the beginning of the film, Jorgen doesn't actually consider the reasoning to donating his money other than to bring Jacob to Denmark. Towards the end of the film, the viewer is able to see Jorgen realize how precious life is when he breaks down into the arms of his wife on his birthday in their bedroom. It can be seen that Jorgen only then truly understood the value of life and of the life he has given to have nots in India. He pleads and doesn't want to die, but I do think it is at that moment he accepts his fate. Through his death, many, many children were able to live their lives in a stable environment away from the kind of dramas the family faced through the film.

Mads Mikkelson plays Jacob--a man who has spent much of his adult life working with orphans in India. However, his program relies on money from some benefactor back in his native Denmark. Inexplicably, this benefactor insists that Jacob come to Denmark personally to talk over future funding of the program. This really makes no sense, but Jacob has no choice but to go.Once Jacob meets Jørgen Hannson, he is surprised by two odd things. First, Jørgen isn't that interested in discussing the project--even though Jacob came all the way there just to discuss it. Second, inexplicably, Jørgen invites him to a wedding. It seems that Jørgen's daughter, Anna, is getting married. Again, this is odd because Jacob doesn't know any of the people who will be there...other than having just met Jørgen. When Jacob arrives at the wedding, he realizes something is afoot. It turns out Jørgen's pretty wife is Jacob's old girlfriend--a woman he hasn't seen in about 20 years! What is going on here? Surely this is not just some coincidence. What is Jørgen trying to do?!I could easily say more about the film but this would ruin it. Suffice to say that when Jacob learns what's really afoot, it's a major kick in the head!!Like so many of the films coming out of Denmark recently, this one seems inspired by the so-called "Dogma 95 movement". It's an agreement by several young filmmakers. While director Susanne Bier is not officially a member of the group (at least according to the research I have done), the film fits into their goals--such as the extensive use of a hand-held camera (I hate this myself...not that this matters), natural locations instead of sets as well as contemporary stories. So what did I think? Well, as you can see above I didn't like the 'unsteady cam' look of the film. But, that withstanding, it's a terrific film. It's because the writing is superb and the acting is very, very nice. It seems very believable and the story sucks you into it. All in all, I can easily see why it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It lost to "The Lives of Others"--which would seem to indicated that it is an even more amazing film--which is hard to believe! I guess I'll have to see that film soon.

In several Dogma type of films, big festive events are occasions when and where some nasty things from the past are revealed, with people then behaving oddly and extraordinarily. The film in question is a bit different: a well-kept secret comes to the light, but the painful connection lies in the present. Dramatic tensions are always up high, there are some twists - although the ending is predictable - and brilliant performances particularly by two main male stars (Mads Mikkelsen as Jacob Petersen and Rolf Lassgård as Jørgen Lennart Hansson) makes the film enjoyable to watch. Although female characters are strong as well and both Sidse Babett Knudsen and Stine Fischer Christensen provide fine performances, I am still a bit surprised that the latter have obtained more praise and awards than Mikkelsen and Lassgård... The two men are among the most versatile Scandinavian contemporary actors, as for the actresses, I find e.g. Paprika Steen or Sofie Gråbøl much catchier than the two in Efter brylluppet...Anyway, the film is good, full of strong emotions and making of choices, enhanced by references to India in the beginning and in the end... Not right at the level of Susanne Bier's Oscar-winning film Hævnen, but still a nice experience for those keen on "static" films with vigorous characters.