Another Round Review

Though I like to think of myself as varied in my film choices and open to international cinema (what with being a polyglot and having dual citizenship), the truth is that it's still rare for me to watch non-English language movies. But I am so very glad I watched this one!

Though, as usual, I have steered clear of other reviews until I've written mine, there's still a sense that this film may be perceived by some as an ode to drinking and alcoholism. I vehemently disagree. We're presented with four men stuck in their current lives, going through their days by rote, a grey existence for one and all. When the idea to explore a philosophical theory through experimentation arrives, they all jump at it, the sense of grasping at anything that will alter the routine palpable. And so they embark on this often poorly thought out adventure, having a blast along the way. There are, of course, ethical questions that the film raises and that I believe are meant to make the audience uncomfortable and have us questioning where the line is. For every win drinking affords them, there is a moment of loss of control. But for me, this is a movie about rediscovering the joy in life and about friendships. For all that cinema is still dominated by male stories, it's very rare that we get to see men being friends, opening up and talking about their problems with each other. We can even see how the characters are unaccustomed to this and read the discomfort in their body language and behaviour. Which is all the more reason for such a story to be told, showing the world that it's ok for men to be vulnerable around each other.

Being a teacher myself, I think this spoke to me in a very personal way. While they may use alcohol to rekindle their passion, the basic premise is something that hit home: to a large extent, what you get from teaching is what you put into it. You must arrive in the classroom and bring not only the energy but the enthusiasm. Students (of any age) will respond to your sense of wonder over the curriculum far more than the actual content alone. By showing them why your chosen subject IS your chosen subject, you are allowing them to see it through your eyes and chances are they will enjoy it, even if they don't end up falling in love with it.

Of course, much like toddlers learning the limits of the world, they take the experiment too far, all of them suffering the consequences. However, I was so very glad that none of the characters stopped drinking, even after the tragedy occurs. That in and of itself makes this such a European movie, acknowledging that life is made of shades of grey rather than black and white, and that most people are able to partake and refrain without it becoming an addiction (though not all, which is also shown).

The film is well acted throughout, though Mads Mikkelsen absolutely steals the show. He takes us on Martin's journey, superbly conveying the myriad of emotions, often contradictory, that the character goes through, though all with beautiful subtlety. Given that the director Academy nomination was a big part in why I watched the film to begin with, I am dismayed that best actor and best film nominations didn't accompany it (especially when the likes of Mank get those nods...). I absolutely agree with Thomas Vinterberg being up for the Oscar, and was unsurprised to learn he wrote the play the film is based on.

At the end, all I could think was what an incredible, understated accomplishment in filmmaking.

Conclusion: Absolutely! [what's this?]

Another Round came out in 2021.