Another Round

Same case.

The movie was extremely powerful for me. Also, for what it's worth, I think it wasn't about alcohol. It was more about life and how small change can cause greater consequences - good and bad alike - and how one should learn to initiate and control the change in order to have a go at serenity.

I think watching it gave me a feeling I have not had in ages. A feeling of guilt and hope together. Well, if that's not something, I don't know what is. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

Martin is a jaded history teacher. His relationship with his wife and family has also reached a point of staleness and his whole life seems to be one big bore. Similarly, his three best friends, teachers at the same school, have also reached a flat period in their lives. When one of them reads a theory that says that having a moderate degree of alcohol in your system at all times is a way to loosen up, they give it a go (for research purposes, of course!). It seems to work and they start upping the alcohol level. But what's the limit and what are the consequences?

Great, interesting drama. Written and directed by Thomas Vinterberg who gave us such exceptional films as Festen / The Celebration (1998), Submarino (2010) and Jagten / The Hunt (2012) the plot is quite original and challenging. Covering a topic like excessive alcohol consumption and alcoholism and (on the surface) making it seem like a good thing is quite novel and sure to be confrontational and controversial, making for an intriguing journey.

Ultimately it has to more nuanced than simply being a pro-alcohol drama, otherwise it would be pretty dull and predictable (think of The Hangover without the comedy, i.e. The Hangover II & III). It is more faceted than that, and some interesting twists and themes do develop, but saying anything more would give away the plot.

Great performance by Mads Mikkelsen (but that's a given) and good supporting cast.

Druk / Another Round deservedly won Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Oscars and Vinterberg got a nomination for Best Director.

An intoxicating celebration of life and a sobering examination of midlife crisis that illuminates the inebriating delights & euphoric pleasures of alcohol influence with heart & humour without ever shying from the havoc it can cause when consumed in excess, Another Round (Druk) blends the elements of comedy, drama & tragedy into a vibrant, effervescent & invigorating mix, and is brilliantly spearheaded by a stellar showcase from the ever-reliable Mads Mikkelsen.

Co-written & directed by Thomas Vinterberg, the film reunites him with Mikkelsen after their memorable stint with The Hunt and the result is another instant classic. Vinterberg takes a naturalistic & humanistic approach to bring his story to life and offers a fascinating take on the role of alcohol in Danish culture (or any culture for that matter). The plot concerns four friends who test out an alcohol experiment to enliven their banal professional & personal lives, and it is compelling throughout.

But none of it would be as gripping if the bonding between the characters wasn't convincing enough and their individual arcs weren't fleshed out. Everyone plays a valuable role in the story yet the one who makes the experience truly worthwhile & rewarding is Mads Mikkelsen whose performance here ranks amongst his finest. We strongly relate to his character, are fully invested in his journey, and the magic he conjures in the last segment is destined to leave an indelible impression on the viewers, leaving them all high & in a state of pure bliss.

Overall, Another Round is beautifully anchored by Vinterberg's sensible direction & Mikkelsen's masterful rendition, and is one of the most engrossing, arresting & life-affirming films of the year. Equal parts funny, touching & heartbreaking, this Danish dramedy has enough vigour & potency to leave most viewers enraptured with its infectious spell & fleeting vibe, and the dazzling quality of the last scene not only serves as a fitting end to a joyful ride but also affirms the film's position as one of the strongest entries of 2020. Truly worth your time & money, Another Round comes highly recommended.

TIFF 2020 09

Another Round

Four close friends who are all high school teachers decide to maintain a specific blood rate of alcohol in their bodies in order to become happier, function better at work and social life, and get along better with their lives. What happens in this process of controlled alcoholism testing and its results consist the main storyline of Another Round, a collaboration of Mads Mikkelsen and Thomas Vinterberg.

Each one of these four are explored individually for us to become acquainted with them and get to know their lives, their responsibilities and their problem whether at work or at home. But the film really shines in the scenes that all four are together, drinking, talking about their drinking thesis, laughing and sometimes, crying. This film is about alcohol consumption as much as midlife crisis, isolation, everyday repetition, loneliness, hopelessness and anhedonia. It's a film that resonates with all of us, it's about everyone in this world who struggles with serious problems in one's life and sees the solution in drinking regularly.

Teacher being myself, I saw this film for a sort of cure after a crazy pandemic school year and, no doubts , for Mads Mikkelsen ( like Martin, I am history teacher and very/ too familiar with the parents/ students pressions ). The film was more then I expected. Because it is a beautiful eulogy of freedom and fine portrait of teaching - the help for Sebastian from music teacher is just moving - , friendship, escape from fears / doubts/ routine, middle age crisis, pure forms of freedom . And, sure, a film about fall. I saw it as teacher , not as cinema critic, I loved the crazyness and realism, humor and dark slices, the moral and the splendid job of Mikkelsen.