Review of Force Majeure (2014) by Manny C — 21 Dec 2014

Think of this viciously funny thriller as a meeting Bergman and National Lampoon's Vacation. And it still doesn't come close to summarizing how amazing it is. Things seem all too well as Dad (Johannes Bah Kuhnke), Mom (Lisa Loven Kongsli) and their preteen children, real life siblings Clara and Vincent Wettergren get ready for some ski fun on the slopes. And then disaster strikes.

It's on the second day of family vacation that director Ruben Ostlund (Play) gets the plot kicking. As the family is having a meal at an outdoor cafe the snow begins sliding downhill in spectacular fashion. Panic sets in. Mom rushes over to her children and yells for the husband. When the fog of the snow lifts, it looks as if Dad as run off to save his own skin, leaving everyone else to replay the trauma in their minds and on their phones. Ostlund springs more surprises when the film shifts from humor to psychological thriller, exploring what it means to be courageous. Force Majeure is a jolt to the senses. Brace yourselves.