I recently saw this at the 2007 Palm Springs International Film Festival and of the 31 films I saw there this made my top 3. Mads Mikklesen received the festival's Best Actor award for his role as Jacob, a man who runs an orphanage in India. Jacob's been there for 20 years and is quite content in never returning to Denmark. A wealthy Danish businessman (Rolf Lassård) has contacted the orphanage expressing a desire to donate a large sum of money to keep the orphanage going. Jacob is led to believe that if he flies to Denmark and presents his business plan it will be a shake hands-smile-done deal and he will return within a week. Jørgen, the businessman has other plans however for Jacob. Sidse Babett Knudsen is Jørgen's wife Helene who has something in common with Jacob. Stine Fischer Christiansen is Anna, the daughter of Jörgen and Helene who is getting married to Christian (Christian Tafdrop) who is employed by Jörgen's company. Jacob is encouraged to attend the wedding and the real reason why he's been summoned to Denmark begins to unravel. Following the success of 2002's Open Hearts and 2004's Brother writer/director Susane Bier again collaborates with screenwriter Anders Thomas Jensen in this emotional drama. Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding) has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards but I would believe that El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) is likely the odds-on favorite to win the Oscar. This is Denmarks 7th nomination for Best Foreign Film since 1956 and it's first nomination since 1989. Denmark has won two Oscar's for Best Foreign films in 1987 for Babette's Feast and 1988 for Pelle the Conqueror. This film is good enough that it has a chance but it would be an upset. This is a very good story and beautifully photographed by cinematographer Mørtin Soberg. I would give this a 9.0 out of 10 and recommend it.
Review of After the Wedding
