nathanleebush I'm shocked by the high user and critic ratings for this film. Every choice was confused. The hyper kinetic camera movement with documentary stylings and no lighting like a Dogme 95 film had no relationship to the Days of Our Lives plot twists and overwrought acting and dialogue. I think this got the over-inflated "international rating," where critics elevate mediocre foreign films because, let's be honest, how many great movies are coming out of Denmark these days? The melodrama was effective, in that it wrought emotion, but each plot twist felt arbitrary and absurd, and the central motivation of the principal figure didn't make sense. Certain scenes felt totally out of place, and should have been cut. And bookending the film in India made about zero sense, as very little of the film's story took place there.

Sarah Kemp After the Wedding (Efter brylluppet, 2006) seems like it should be a large movie—it begins internationally, depicting issues like poverty and homelessness that affect millions around the globe. Quickly though, the focus zooms in on several people who are very closely connected though somewhat of an odd history, forcing the viewer to examine what exactly is required to love someone. Jacob (Mads Mikkelson) manages an Indian orphanage, but is called back to Denmark by a businessman to try and secure more funds for the orphanage. He is offered the funding, but of course there is a twist, made clear following a series of big reveals; Jørgen (Rolf Lassgård), the businessman, requires Jacob to remain in Denmark and begin managing some of the company. As Jacob is actually the biological father of Jørgen's daughter, Jørgen wants him close by to care for the family following his impending death. The film explores the ideas of control, love, and doing one's duty with an interesting take on what constitutes a family.There are several aspects of control seen throughout the film. Jørgen, as a powerful businessman, is used to having people do his bidding. He also knows that he is dying, resulting in his necessary composure despite such unfortunate circumstances. Troubles arise when he tries to extend his control to Jacob, a man who is used to being independent. Jacob resists, feeling that Jørgen is trying to buy him, but gives in when he discovers the exact nature of the request. Helene is also trying to control the situation—she is understandably mad at Jacob for cheating on her, and initially tries to restrict his contact with the family and herself. She eventually sees his value though, leading to the next theme of the film: love.After the Wedding contains numerous interesting relationships, mainly ones that aren't necessarily seen in many other contexts. In India, Jacob is especially close to one of the boys at the orphanage. He acts as a father figure to the boy, but is ultimately forced to leave and has to go back on promises made. The dynamic between the adults in the film is what is the most fascinating though; Jacob is Anna's biological father, from a previous relationship with Helene. Helene then married Jørgen in part to secure a future for Anna. Jørgen is dying though, and wants Jacob to be around to support the family. Jacob's connection to Anna is apparent, although awkward at first. When they first talk in his hotel room, the tension between them is almost painful to watch. Anna begins to open up to Jacob though, which eventually causes Helene to realize that she does still care for him. While she never answers the question about whether or not she'll get back together with Jacob, it's clear that the family cares for him and he is present in their lives. The final theme is an exploration of what it means to do one's duty, especially in keeping with promises that were made. Jacob is the primary vehicle through which we explore this. He is forced back to Denmark to secure more funds for the orphanage, despite a strong desire to remain with the children. Once there, he puts up with a seemingly distant and eccentric Jørgen in the hope of keeping the orphanage open. Jørgen's obligation to his family drives him to find Jacob in the first place, and admit to himself that he must take action to secure their future. The film makes use of many close ups, especially on the face and eyes. In a story so driven by emotion, it makes sense that this would be a focus. Frequently, the larger picture is ignored for a close look at exactly what each character is feeling at the moment. Their emotions are strong and complicated, so taking a moment to dissect them is really helpful. I enjoyed After the Wedding, but it didn't grip me as completely as other films I've seen. However, I think the suspense of the reveal was ruined by the strange actions of Jørgen that led up to it. There were also times where I felt the stony faced acting could have shown a little more depth. I was also ultimately unsatisfied by some aspects of the ending—after so much build up, I feel the viewers deserved slightly more. The film presents interesting ideas, but the lack of resolution means that some of the impact is lost. It's worth a watch, but not one of my favorites.

deacon_blues-3 Jacob works in an orphanage in India that rescues child prostitutes and street children. But the ministry is failing financially, and in desperate need of funds. The answer appears when Jorgen Hansson, a rich Danish industrialist offers to fully fund the orphanage. But Jorgen stipulates that Jacob must fly back to Denmark personally to meet Jorgen and close the deal. At first Jacob refuses because he is reluctant to leave the children, especially Pramod, a boy he has raised from infancy and who looks to Jacob as his father.But the need is so great and Jorgen is adamant, so Jacob finally acquiesces and flies to Denmark.Once he arrives, Jorgen begins a strange game of manipulation. He requires Jacob to attend his daughter's wedding before finalizing the deal. At the wedding, Jacob realizes that Jorgen's wife is actually is long-lost love, Helene, and that he is the father of her daughter, Anna, who is getting married.Jacob is furious and confused. Once Anna finds out the Jacob is her biological father, she insists on meeting him and the two form a close bond.After further mysterious machinations by Jorgen involving Jacob, Helene, and Anna, Jorgen finally sits down with Jacob to finalize the deal to fund the orphanage. But rather than the original one million dollar offer, Jorgen wants to set up a 12 million dollar joint trust fund to be controlled solely by Jacob and Anna, with the stipulation that Jacob must reside in Denmark rather than India.Jacob is once again furious and storms out of the meeting. Jorgen runs after him and confesses that he has been wrong to be so manipulative and stubborn. Jorgen reveals that he is terminally ill, and that he wants Jacob to take his place as head of his family after his death. Stunned, Jacob simply walks away, unable to absorb so much crucial information at once.When Anna's new husband, Christian, is surprised by Anna's coming home and finding him having sex with his former girlfriend in her own bed, Anna seeks refuge with Jacob, and he realizes that he must indeed stay in Denmark to care for his daughter, Helene, and Jorgen's two twin boys after Jorgen dies.In the final scene, Jacob returns to India and the orphanage to visit Pramod and offer to take him back to Denmark to live. But Pramod does not want to leave the now prosperous, remodeled orphanage and all his childhood friends. Jacob realizes that Pramod is right, and very wise for his young age. They embrace, and Pramod returns to the new football field to play with his friends.This is a film that will warm your heart, amaze you, and lift your spirit with joy!

dushyant chaturvedi A Danish manager of an orphanage in India goes back home to find the funds for his project. There he discovers a truth which changes his live and that of others around him. This was nominated in the best foreign movie category in 2007 wherein it lost to the Counterfeiters, a much superior film. The film is well made and brilliantly acted. But the script does not offer anything shattering which is what its synopsis on IMDb promises. The viewers of Hindi movies have seen countless films like this although the story hasn't been lifted so far to make an "inspired" copy. There is only one scene wherein one of the lead characters reacts about their impending death which has not been used by Hindi cinema. Here, everybody becomes stoic and heroic after learning about their impending death. There, people shout and question about the logic of it all. 3 out of 5 for this. the pacing of the movie is appropriate and it never drags along. It is the very content itself which does not offer anything new to chew on.