Review of Another Round (2020) by Iceman21 — 24 Mar 2021

Director Thomas Vinterberg cannot be praised enough for this film. After four days of shooting, his daughter Ida was killed in a car accident. After a week of mourning, the Dane was back on the set. The idea for the film was also inspired by his daughter. It tells how four middle-aged schoolteachers go through their midlife crisis based on a theory of the Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skarderud, who says that a blood alcohol level of 0.05 makes people go through life more relaxed and free.

Each of the four main characters gets their own storyline and lets us share in their suffering in life. Once the actually optimistic psychology teacher Nikolaj, played by Magnus Milland, who has to deal with bed-wetting children at home. Then the hapless choir director Peter (Lars Ranthe), who sees himself as an expiry model and cannot find love. Sports teacher Tommy (Thomas Bo Larsen), a coach who is actually loving towards his kids but lacks any motivation. And finally Mads Mikkelsen's character Martin. He accepts being a bore and goes through life virtually invisible, which has an impact on his marriage to Anika (Maria Bonnevie). The plot is told almost exclusively from Martin's perspective. Mikkelsen thereby appropriates pretty much all the facets a person can have. At first he is desperate, then through regular alcohol consumption he suddenly becomes lively and cheerful, before his emotional world is a constant up and down at the end. Mikkelsen disappears into his role and plays this character with a great deal of subtlety and sometimes impulsiveness. Not only Mikkelsen is fantastic, his three co-protagonists also act at a high level. This is especially noticeable in the scenes in which the four of them discuss their project, explore new spheres and go out together. In the individual moments, Mikkelsen stands out because Martin takes up the most screentime.

Another Round is a funny film for the most part, although the dramatic moments predominate, especially towards the end. Only then do you really become aware of its seriousness and it takes you with it. Actually, many elements correspond to a classic tragicomedy. Vinterberg manages to lay out the film in such a way that this is not always obvious and you stick to one genre in every scene. It may be mainly about the (worrying) drinking culture among adults and young people in Denmark, but Another Round is also an appeal to life in general. Yes, alcohol can awaken undiscovered free spirits in people, but equally it can literally destroy relationships and lives. Vinterberg covers all these aspects brilliantly. Most of the film runs without any musical accompaniment. But when it does, the classical music adapts to the action. The same goes for the camera work and shots: When the characters are in crisis, the film drags. When they're on the edge, it thrills with outstanding pacing. Yes, Another Round may be tedious in places, but this “weakness" is made up for by the explosive finale at the latest, which may be the best of the entire year.