This film from The Samuel Goldwyn Company is available for digital streaming on December 18th.
We all enjoy a stiff drink now and again… and occasionally more often than that. While downing alcohol may not sound like the makings of an exceptional film plot, the new Danish feature Another Round aka Druk really runs with the concept, focusing on the influence drinking can have (both negative and positive) on the lives of a small group of men. It’s a darkly funny feature boasting a powerful lead performance and plenty to ideas to ponder. If you appreciate foreign-features, then this is one of the year’s best and definitely a title to check out.
Martin (Mads Mikkelsen) is a Copenhagen high school teacher whose life is in a rut. The protagonist and his wife are drifting apart and he now spends his days going through the motions in class and living with a sense of unfulfillment. While celebrating a birthday with three co-workers (Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe), it is revealed that they are going through similar problems. One of the men mentions an old theory relayed by psychotherapist Finn Skårderud.This figure suggested that productivity, happiness and a sense of freedom can increase with a slightly elevated blood-alcohol level.The men decide to test the idea, taking notes as they achieve various states of drunkenness over the following weeks. At first the theory seems to work, but as time passes and the alcohol consumption rises, complications emerge.
Early sections of the film are played for laughs as the men try to hide their experiment from those around them, swigging drinks between classes and seeing the effects of booze on their lessons – some of which play out in unexpected ways. There are plenty of enjoyable moments as they become more uninhibited and honest with the students around them. One of the men who coaches a school team even tries to step in and help a shy young boy, hoping to encourage and build the child’s confidence on the soccer field. Obviously, it’s inappropriate for adults to be slurring their words around kids on the job or otherwise, but these moments do result in some remarkable scenes of a buzzed man offering a small timid boy advice on how to fight adversity.
It’s all fascinating to watch and Mikkelsen is particularly strong in an incredibly challenging lead role. For one, it involves being in various states of inebriation. Viewers see a wild rollercoaster ride as he falls deeper and deeper into his new habit. The movie and character start off with Martin in a state of sobriety and ruefulness, before tis slyly comic scenes involving the leads testing their hypothesis. Finally, events turn to serious drama as the drinking leads to embarrassing events and confrontations. It’s a remarkable performance that covers a lot of ground and always feels honest and believable. In fact, the entire cast sell the situation extraordinary well. Thomas Vinterberg, who also wrote and directed the impressive 2012 Danish drama, The Hunt, deserves a lot of credit in juggling various tones with remarkable ease and keeping all the performances in check.
As mentioned, things do get grave in the closing act when the binging begins to add even more problems instead of freeing the leads from their responsibilities and personal issues. The movie doesn’t specifically state its message, merely displaying the actions and consequences of a group of men taking part in a most unusual practice.
Another Round is a very memorable international feature that should be given a lot of consideration during awards season. The stellar work of its star effortlessly carries viewers through a wild and unhinged journey into drinking. In summation, this unique feature is a bender that doesn’t turn into a haze and instead will be well remembered.