What happens after the wedding comprises a full three-quarters of Bier's epic, whose near-Biblical twists and turns--I wouldn't think of giving them away--are enough to fill four weepies.
After the Wedding(Efter brylluppet)
✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ Read critic reviews
Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom · 2006
Rated R · 2h 4m
Director Susanne Bier
Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Stine Fischer Christensen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rolf Lassgård
Genre Drama
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Jacob Pederson manages an orphanage on the verge of bankruptcy in Bombay, India. A Danish millionaire’s funding could save him-on the condition that Jacob visits Copenhagan to make his case in person. He must get the money and return to India in time for his adopted son's eighth birthday, but a life-altering family secret may delay him...
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
What feels at first like a quiet, straightforward picture builds into one of the richest and most satisfying of the year so far, in any genre or any language.
Evidently, this bloated piece of Oscar-nominated nonsense was a big hit in Denmark, which makes me think there's a glittering future in that otherwise discriminating country for several seasons of "Days of Our Lives."
Wall Street Journal by Joe Morgenstern
A thrilling -- and harrowing, and beautiful -- celebration of the unpredictability of life.
With a third-act twist that outdoes that initial revelation, the film turns out to be a thoughtful exploration of paternity and responsibility. Much of the film's success lies in Bier's sensitive direction, but credit is also due to the fine cast, particularly Mikkelsen.
Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan
After the Wedding would never pretend to have any answers, but in hands this skilled the act of exploration itself couldn't be more illuminating, or more dramatic.
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
Talented filmmaker Susanne Bier (Brothers), armed with an outstanding compositional sense, keeps control over the storms of melodrama that swirl in this rich weepie.
The New York Times by Manohla Dargis
A fine and, on a scene-by-scene basis, often better than fine, if effectively unadventurous work.
The Hollywood Reporter by Michael Rechtshaffen
Once again Bier demonstrates just how misleading appearances can be, as she artfully removes the veneers concealing the dark truths locked away by her intriguing characters.
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