Family matters in Denmark...
> In a Better World
3 stars (out of 5)
Director: Susanne Bier
Cast: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, William Johnk Nielsen, Markus Rygaard, Kim Bodnia, Wil Johnson, Eddie Kihani
Rating: (R16)
In A Better World is quite an ambitious interrogation of family dynamics and life's harsh lessons.
Nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign language film, the predominantly Danish film is complicated by frequent language shifts between Danish, Swedish and English.
Though the odds are stacked against the film realising more than an assortment of beautifully shot scenes and half-baked ideas, director Susanne Bier skilfully steers things towards a satisfying conclusion.
Swedish doctor Anton (Mikael Persbrandt), separated from wife Marianne (Trine Dyrholm), divides his time between a Danish summerhouse and his work in an African refugee camp.
The fall-out from this dysfunctional family unit is Elias (Markus Rygaard), who is constantly harassed by the school bully. Elias' future doesn't look all that rosy until Christian (William Johnk Nielsen) enrolls at school.
Christian soon gets the measure of the bully and in doing so, charms 12-year-old Elias, who senses salvation through revenge.
But Christian, emotionally scarred by the recent death of his mum, harbours his own demons. The film draws none-too-subtle parallels between the way the aggrieved parents deal with conflict and how their children respond.
Visually, In a Better World is stunning; with its brisk pace, there are plenty of reasons to hang with it, even when the resolution appears glaringly obvious.
Best thing: William Johnk Nielsen as Christian: his performance as a spiteful brat is spot-on.
Worst thing: Settling for predictability. It would have been more thought-provoking if certain threads had been left loose.
See it with: Your parents.
- Mark Orton
