"Another Round" Film Review

Mads Mikkelsen and "Another Round" dance and drink their way into my heart.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

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I had high hopes going into "Another Round." This film is rated highly by film critics that I respect, so I had relatively high expectations. I can confidently say that "Another Round" met - and even exceeded - my expectations. This film has performed a "sliding tackle" into being one of my favorites.

This film is probably the most fun and interesting two hours I have watched in a while. The script is incredible, the directing and cinematography are some of the best of the year [2020], and the acting is award-worthy. Mads Mikkelsen showcases his acting prowess, and this is truly him at his best, rivaling his finesse in "The Hunt."

I cannot express how much I enjoyed this movie. Entitled "Druk" in its home country of Denmark, "Another Round" is a brilliant tragic-comedy from director and writer Thomas Vinterberg. The film follows Martin (Mikkelsen) and his friend group of high school teachers as they test a theory - a theory that has them keeping a level of 0.05% blood alcohol level during work. The film chronicles the four friends as they embark on this experiment, and not only how it affects their lives at work, but also their personal lives.

All four of the actors featured in the core friend group are incredible. The subtle nuance and the extravagant drunkenness are equally portrayed flawlessly. Mads Mikkelsen really shines here, and ("The Hunt" costar) Thomas Bo Larsen provides wonderful emotional depth during his time on screen. The chemistry between these four actors is unmatched. The acting in this movie is on another level, and everyone (including the young actors) contributes to the overall masterfulness of this film.

I will admit, this is not a perfect movie, but it's darn close. The beginning takes too long to find its groove. The first act itself is great, but the start of it could have been condensed a bit. However, when it finds its groove, that groove is there to stay for the duration.

The directing is very strong and this is definitely some of the strongest writing I have seen as of late. The script is masterfully written and its three acts are each brilliant and clear. Each act is written with finesse and covers major emotional points for all of the characters. The acts culminate to a powerful climax, which settles into one of the strongest film endings I have ever seen. I will only go a bit further - as to not spoil the beautiful ending. The ending is very satisfying and is extremely well-earned. Mads Mikkelsen uses some of the skills he had as a young man (he was a gymnast!), and it is truly sublime.

I strive to write something as beautiful as that ending in everything creative that I do. This film is definitely going somewhere in my top ten, not just because I thoroughly loved it, but also because it is wonderfully shot, impeccably written, and an incredibly produced film.

96/100

Enjoyment: A+

"Another Round" is now available on Video On Demand wherever you rent movies. "Another Round" is presented in Danish with English subtitles.