Running Time. 1 hour 57 mins
Director. Thomas Vinterberg
Cast. Thomas Bo Larsen, Mads Mikkelsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe.
Rating. 79%
"To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems."
Let's be honest, Another Round is a film that could only be made in mainland Europe. An American version of the film would either take a sombre, firm, judgemental stance on the main characters or descend into a wild and crazy version of a frat movie - National Lampoon's Animal House, Old School or Superbad - for a middle-aged audience. A British version of the film would be an earnest and sincere examination of society's relationship with recreational drinking. Only a director from mainland Europe, and dare I say, Scandinavia could pull off a project like Another Round with such panache. Finely balancing elements of heady, vibrant and intoxicating joy and inevitable heartbreaking consequences.
Martin (Mads Mikkelsen) is a disinterested history teacher, sleepwalking through married life to his childhood sweetheart, and now the mother of his two teenage sons. But when Martin, along with two other equally frustrated and discontented teachers - Tommy (Thomas Bo Larsen) and Peter (Lars Ranthe) - and Nicolaj (Magnus Millang) all get drunk at Nicolaj's 40th birthday dinner, a plan is formed.
According to a misinterpreted preface written by real-life Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud, "when humans are born they have a blood alcohol level 0.05% too low." The extrapolation of this hypothesis is that by maintaining an elevated intoxication level, humans should become more open, energetic and creative. The four friends decide to test this theory.
There are rules. The four friends must maintain an elevated blood alcohol level but should not drink alcohol after 8.00pm or at the weekend.
Director Thomas Vinterberg details the friends' story in three chapters; initially hatching the plan and drinking together with minimal consumption, followed by an escalation in the alcohol consumption and drinking independently of each other, before finally, reuniting and drinking at increased levels. It is this final instalment that almost inevitably produces the most painful viewing.
Another Round is defined by the performances of the actors. Mads Mikkelsen is ridiculously impressive - there's a world-weariness in his eyes, haunted, at times detached from present life. He is supported by a strong cast who ensures that the glee you witness when the four friends are roaring drunk is matched by the heartbreak when they almost inevitably push it too far. Thomas Bo Larsen increasingly heartwrenching portrayal of Tommy, PE teacher and children's football coach is quietly devastating. For it is Tommy, who unbeknown to his friends needs this experiment more than anyone else. He epitomises the despondency of allowing your life to slip away without a fight.
Whilst the inebriated exploits of the four friends are entertaining, the sensitive performances equally bring a degree of pathos to the story. At times, Another Round is an uncomfortable watch for a middle-aged man, particularly the apparent quiet despondency associated with the perfect life we all seek.
Beyond an examination of Danish drinking culture, Thomas Vinterberg's film is both a celebration and a lament of alcohol's fundamental place in society.
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