The Inheritance

I saw this film at the 2003 London Film Festival and was impressed by the way it treated its audience, as adults. So many films are blatantly manipulative, pushing all the right buttons to extract all the appropriate responses. And it seems we are generally quite happy to collude in the process. Not so with this film. We are allowed to find our own way in, so that everyone's response to it will be singular and specific.The performances are unshowy and honest - not so easy when one of the protaganists is a celebrated actress. The clash between desire and duty, a well-worn theme, is given depth and clarity through a truthful, unsentimental and no-frills piece of film making. I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

A Danish modern that seems spare and bare bones when compared to other slick art house fare that is out there like "Vanity Fair" and "Bright Young Things." But it is just that lack of gloss that gives it its strength. The semi-Dogma style fits the story of a young man living in Sweden with his beautiful actress wife who gets called back to Denmark to run the family steel mill after his father's suicide. When he had been younger, he had almost died from the stress of working in the business. Now, with his relations and the workers depending on him, he slowly starts to shut down all of his systems in order to deal with the tough decisions he has to make. This is not a new theme, but Fly gives it new life with his astringent approach.

" Inheritance " is one of the greatest European movies of the last few years. It might seem boring for an average American viewer who is used to Hollywood action movie culture. The film is a great reflection of a real life situation. It is wonderfully acted and very believable. Directing is superb. I would recommend it to anybody who has an appreciation for a fine art of European cinema ( particularly for its ability to depict life the way it is ). This is one of the movies that I would definitely give a 10.

Arven is a superb 'European' film. It is compelling viewing. It deals with a plethora of human issues and choices without

being sentimental or resorting to clichés. It is visually stunning. It is moving. The actors are convincing. We care about the characters. In fact, we really care! And I can only recommend it highly.

Christopher leads a peaceful life in Denmark along with his wife. He owns a restaurant and she's an actress. But their lives soon will change after the suicide of Christopher's father. He'll be forced to take charge of his father's business.

"Arven" is an intense and exceptional drama about giving' up on what we want, about that unmerciful and cold world of the big corporations. The moral is quite clear: what do you want money and power for if you lose everything you really love? Per Fly's style is serious and sober, he can't deny he's from northern Europe, 'cause in his cinema there's the same coldness than in Von Trier's or Bergman's.

*My rate: 8/10