After The Wedding

If you like foreign language films, indy films, thought-provoking family dramas, or surprisingly great acting, you'll like "After The Wedding". If on the other hand, you don't like at least 3 of those 4 things, I don't recommend this movie.


Partly in English partially in Dutch, you'll most likely need the subtitles for even the English parts because the accents are so thick. Some people don't like sub-titles. Unless you are multi-lingual with strong Germanic language skills, you must use the subtitles.


If you think you understand each character midway through the movie, guess again. I found myself shocked at how wrong I was about the main character's motivations and choices as the story unfolded. The tag line for the movie is "Champagne is poured... secrets are spilled". Very appropriate.


Danish director Susanne Bier crafts a wonderful look into the window of the Scandinavian soul, by focusing on the eyes of each main character. The effect is delightful. Mads Mikkelsen (bad guy in most recent Bond film, Casino Royale) and Rolf Lassgard show a range of emotion uncommon in Swedes, at least those in my family.


Watch this movie with someone who is not in a hurry.