ANOTHER ROUND (2020) by Thomas Vinterberg

“Mischievously unruly in tone (“scandalous” is Vinterberg’s preferred word), yet shot through with a flinty shard of sadness, it’s the Danish director’s finest and most personal film since 1998’s Festen – a heady cocktail of ecstasy and grief, buoyed by a superb ensemble cast.” – Mark Kermode, The Guardian

“Another Round is a cautionary tale about the challenges of finding yourself again, after years of slowly and steadily ignoring, to the point of repressing, youthful hopes and dreams. In a world that seems to have ground to a halt, this film feels like an invitation to soar.” -Peg Aloi, The Arts
Fuse

“Another Round is a truly wonderful movie about trying to come to grips with life, anchored by terrific performances, infectious music, and a real understanding of the humming discontentment that all adults must learn to navigate in their own ways. It’s the sort of comedy fused with tragedy that may just best represent what life really is: a melancholy, glorious, slightly
off-kilter dance.” – Alissa Wilkinson, Vox

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“To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.” - Homer Simpson

We continue this week on the Thomas Vinterberg magical mystery tour of the Danish shadow realm with ANOTHER ROUND, a tale of four middle-aged men conducting a boozy microdosing experiment in hopes of reclaiming their lost joie de vivre. Winner of the 2021 Oscar for best international film, ANOTHER ROUND has all the earmarks of vintage Vinterberg: laugh-out-loud comedy, sympathetic character studies, incisive social commentary, and some Kierkegaardian existentialism thrown in for good measure. This movie goes down like a Sazerac cocktail (which itself features prominently in the movie); notes of sweetness, heavy undertones, a dash of bitters, and a pleasant finish that leaves you wanting more. Skål (Cheers)!

You can watch ANOTHER ROUND on Hoopla or on Amazon Prime.

Happy viewing!