A Royal Affair (En kongelig affære):

Movie Main Page

Some Spoilers Ensue - 
Though not right away. I will begin by telling you that this film is a period piece. It is set in the late 1700's and tells the factual story of King Christian VII (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard), his wife Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander), and the King's physician Johann Fredrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen). It starts out with a letter. Written as the film unfolds, this letter is addressed to Caroline's children and weaves throughout the story of a sad woman married to a demeaning King, who meets a German man of The Enlightenment with a vision to change Denmark. Along the way, beautiful and wretched things happen leading to an ultimately heart breaking ending for all characters involved.

Mads Movie #3 - 
And so far my favorite, this film is so very good. The acting by all three of these brilliant people is divine and I can see why this movie was awarded so much. It was nominated for tons of awards including the Oscar for Best Foreign Film. My emotions were on fire the entire time. One minute I was happy, the next I was sad, the next I was terrified and so on...it was an experience to be remembered that's for sure. I am usually not a huge fan of period pieces, however certain ones get to me if the story is well done and it has a meaning or message other than: 'Cute romance ensues between rich people with big gowns and no real problems'. As far as that genre goes, this in in my top 5.

Best Scenes - 
1. Anything between King Christian (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) and Struensee (M.M.) is just so amazing to watch. The chemistry between the two and the way Christian feels about Struensee...there is kinship there. Even as Johann is using Christian, you feel he cares about him.
 
2. The first kiss between Caroline and Johann and then some...sorry, it's hot.
3. I pretty much just enjoyed the entire film actually.
4. The best and most heart breaking of all...

The Ending - 
Oh My God. I haven't seen an ending (or acting) like that since The Crucible in which Daniel Day Lewis (who I should also movie stream) gave me the chills with his speech "LEAVE ME MY NAME!" I was just hoping so hard that it wasn't going to end the way I thought it would, but I wound up sadly, being right. And I cried. I cried and cried as the carriage rode up...more as Johann walked through the hoard of people just waiting for his execution, up the bloody stairs, through the beheading and until Caroline herself found out. Everything about this scene was perfection, though it actually wasn't 100% accurate. after finding out how Struensee really was executed, I had an even bigger heart-sinking feeling, and am glad they changed it how they did. In an interview with M.M. -

Q: "His execution in real life was pretty brutal. It’s been toned down in the film, right?"
Mads: "Oh yes, it was very elaborate. They chopped off an arm, and let him lie there in pain. Then they took the head, but they missed two times. So there was three tries. The other arm. The other leg. And then they took off the penis, held it up, and threw it out to the crowd and the dogs."

 Best Lines - 
1. Johann Friedrich Struensee: "I think some people are so sealed inside their fate that they hide deep within their mind."
2. Queen Caroline Mathilda: "You recognized me." 
Johann Friedrich Struensee: "I would recognize you blind folded."
3. Johann Friedrich Struensee: "Who is more disturbed? The king or someone who thinks the Earth was created in six days?"
4. Johann Friedrich Struensee: "I am one of you."



Overall -
I've talked up M.M the whole time, however I should say something about Mikkel Boe Følsgaard (King Christian VII), his portrayal was magnificent. I don't think the gorgeous dynamic would have been there had there been another actor. His role of this lonely man who was childlike and at one moment, torn between hot and cold was spot on. His love and need for Struensee was hard to watch as you could just feel his longing for a friend, a mentor, a father, and the scene at the very end after the execution when he was sitting with the Court...so vacant...I was just in awe. I was so pleased with this film (If you can't tell). It was a gripping and brutal experience which landed on a spark of hope instead of the bleak outcome I expected. I recommend it totally.

Verdict - 10/10 Stars. Masterpiece.

Valhalla Rising:

Movie Main Page



On To Number 2 -
Continuing with my Mads movie streak, I stumbled upon this strong willed, cinematically beautiful, yet confusing arthouse number directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (of Bronson fame, and of Drive fame here in the states). I made it a point, as I have with all others in this so called 'Streak" (I should call this something....um...whatever, we'll say M.M.S. - Mads Movie Streak) to go in blind. I would rather know nothing especially when said film deals with religion so as to not skew my opinion. Having said all that, though this film is definitely gorgeous to watch, it left me feeling a bit bewildered by the end.

But You Know The Acting Will Be Great -
And it totally is...all of the actors in this film are fantastic to watch. I was especially fond of The Boy who was played wonderfully by newcomer Maarten Stevenson. However, again, the whole movie is carried by a completely silent and extremely, engagingly, thoughtful performance by M.M. If for no other reason, watch it for that...

And The Cinematography -
There is some gore and a lot of exquisite scenery that also bring this slow film to light. In the wake of a back story that unfolds unlike other films, I would say the creme de la creme is the cinematography. The colors are vivid, the dream sequences (if you will) are filmed across beautiful landscapes, there's an abundance of religious and mythological symbolism, and the violence is wholly stylized.



Best Scenes -
1. The beginning before the escape.
2. The escape.
3. Any and everything after the boat ride with the Vikings.

Yes Vikings -
As with The Hunt, I don't want to give a lot away. I let on, that this is a religious film, but I will also state that it takes place in 1000 A.D. and M.M. is a super-warrior who was captured and escaped (what I think were) crusaders. His journey thereafter is one to fill the audience with philosophical questions. What is the meaning of life? Why are we living? Is there an afterlife? And so on...

Overall -
The ending is a confusing one (at least it was a bit for me). Reflecting back on the watch however, forced me to think it through more thoroughly and in that process, I've managed to draw up new conclusions which ultimately make the movie a more fulfilling one. I mean, it's art...it's open for interpretation and it is sometimes admired without a full realization of exactly what the artist was trying to ultimately say. And that dear friends, is reason enough for me to appreciate it.

7.9/10 Stars

The Hunt (Jagten):

Movie Main Page

 

A Little History - 
I have a wide range of actors that I love. Most of the time, I like to backtrack through a couple of their previous films when I like them a lot, and then I just get on with it. Not the case here. I decided to start watching Hannibal about 6 months after it aired and I got my first good look at a spectacular Danish actor named Mads Mikkelsen. He is extremely talented but, judging by the fact that I love horror films, have seen Silence Of The Lambs numerous times, and figured the television show could never match the talents of the wonderful Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, I wrote it off. Until about three episodes in when this God of Danish cinema showed off his talents. After the show, and because I adore foreign cinema, I decided to binge on every single one of his movies. That my friends, is how I came across The Hunt.

The Basics - 
So after giving you the background of what I've been doing for the past couple of months, this is the first of many Mads movies I chose. I have some background with Danish cinema and am an avid Von Trier fan so I know Danish films have amazing potential. The movie stars M.M. as a single father named Lucas who leads a lonely life teaching primary school and striving for custody of his son. He has a likeable group of friends including his best friend Theo, who has a wife and child Lucas is close with as well. Everything is going smooth until one day, a small lie changes the course of Lucas's life.

It Would Probably Be Better -
For you to go in blind as I did...just beware, this is a tough number to swallow. It is unrelenting and uncomfortable, however, don't let that scare you away...you should see it, everyone should see it.

Mad For Mads -
My God is he exquisite in his craft...he practically carries the entire film and does so with a passion not many actors have. This film bumped him into my 'favorites' for sure. You can just feel every thought, every ounce of pain and turmoil he is going through...it's harrowing and heartbreaking and I was crying at the end.

Best Scenes -
1. The scene in the convenience store is amazing. You are rooting for Lucas the entire time.
2. The scene when you realize that though everyone is against him...he still has a couple of people on his side.
3. The scene in the church (which if you've seen the trailer, you get a small glimpse of) took my breath away and had me wiping tears.



Overall -
This movie is a tough watch, but rewarding nonetheless due to its well told story and outstanding acting. It was the first of many Mads movies I've played - also the first of many that had me crying - and a firm step back into the world of heart wrenching Danish cinema. I strongly recommend the watch.

Verdict - 10/10 Stars.