After the Wedding December 9, 2010

This post is dedicated a good friend of mine (she knows who she is) in hopes she will reconsider her ban on all films containing “wedding” in the title…  or at least to make this one exception.  I, too, can’t stand the “wedding” genre, but what elevates this film from the rest is the complete absence of terrible romantic comedic attempts, in fact, I don’t remember laughing once.  After the Wedding (2006), directed by Susanne Bier, is a serious film with a doozy of a plot, so prepare yourself for an intense two hours.  The film begins and ends in India, with Jacob, a Danish ex-patriot.  Jacob is the founder of an Indian orphanage that is fiscally in trouble and on the brink of failure.  An opportunity arises for the orphange to receive a generous donation from a wealthy Danish donor.  The catch — Jacob is required to fly to Denmark to just “shake hands” with the donor in order to receive the funds.  Despite his overwhelming distaste for the wealthy, he has no choice but to go, leaving the children, including one he raised from a baby, behind.

Actor Mads Mikkelsen in After the Wedding

When Jacob meets the potential donor, Jorgen, his understanding of the situation has changed as Jorgen strings him along for an indefinite stay in Denmark, dangling the money just out of Jacob’s reach.  Jorgen invites Jacob to his daughter’s wedding, where a revelation sets everything in motion for the floodgates of Jacob’s past to abruptly open.  Each of the main protagonists endures emotionally painful ups and downs and a series of unexpected revelations that upends all.  The acting is supremely executed and this film is absolutely the opposite of every “wedding” film in existence.  The wedding is such a small piece of the film, however, it is a profoundly significant turning point of Jacob’s life path.  This film has it’s place in my top 5 viewed this year, a must see.