In the film "Another Round", Mads Mikkelsen reunites with Thomas Vinterberg to tell about how to change your life with the help of alcohol.

On November 12, a new film by Thomas Vinterberg ("The Hunt") called "Another Round" (Druk), in which Mads Mikkelsen indulges in alcohol, teaches history, dances jazz-ballet, and seeks harmony in life, hits Russian theaters. Find out what the film about a midlife crisis, crazy scientific theories, and strong male friendship turned out like in our review.

You Need Alcohol for Happiness

This is exactly the kind of scientific theory one of the characters in "Another Round" talks about, seeing how his friend Martin (Mikkelsen) is losing his edge at work at school (the main characters here are schoolteachers) and his taste for life in general.

"Just 0.5 BAC in the body on a daily basis can stimulate social and professional life," says the main thesis of that theory, and the characters decide to test its effectiveness in practice. What could possibly go wrong?

Alcohol is a Catalyst, Not the Engine of the Plot

Despite the rivers of beer, champagne, wine, and vodka flowing through the frames of "Another Round," the main driving force of the story is the characters and their attempts to overcome themselves, find harmony, and experience a bit of happiness.

If Mads Mikkelsen's character from the first frames experiences a certain existential apathy, then his outwardly more successful and life-satisfied comrades actually hide their pain much deeper. At first, it may seem that they are getting into the adventure of daily alcohol consumption for the thrill, but later it becomes obvious that not everything is so smooth in their lives either.

Peter (Lars Ranthe) has problems communicating with women and lacks a connection with students. Nikolaj (Magnus Millang) is mired in family problems and has lost his individuality. Tommy (Thomas Bo Larsen) clearly misses his eventful past.

Alcohol acts as a catalyst for revealing all these pains and the characters' attempts to cope with them. It gives the characters euphoria and confidence in their own abilities, giving them a chance and a reason to spend more time together.

At the Intersection of Comedy and Drama

"Another Round" manages to deftly balance between a lighthearted and truly funny comedy about male tomfoolery and strong friendship, an emotional drama about a midlife crisis, and social commentary.

The film has many humorous episodes and, in stand-up terms, one-liners. The characters constantly find themselves in comical situations, and the alcohol-dulled mind of each character often produces killer phrases and generates non-trivial dialogues.

The humor appropriately reduces the dramatic intensity of what is happening, but in no way negates the importance of the authors' message. Alcohol in large quantities never leads to good, and the ability to talk about your problems and doubts in a timely manner can solve many issues.

Interestingly, Thomas Vinterberg in this film unequivocally states that Denmark is drinking itself to death, people are drinking themselves to death. He is concerned about the desire to replace the simple joys of life with alcohol. And even though he says this in an ironic form (the unexpected documentary insert is especially successful), it is clear that this issue really worries the director and that it was important for him to share these concerns with the audience.

Is the Film 'Another Round' Worth Watching?

You want to express gratitude to Thomas Vinterberg, Mads Mikkelsen, and the rest of the film's creators for the 2 hours spent in the cozy company of seemingly long-familiar people, where there was room for both laughter and tears. "Another Round" does not claim the laurels of the same "The Hunt," but it is a cool, funny, and touching life-affirming story, understandable in any language and in any corner of the planet.

Trailer:

Thanks to Capella Film for the invitation to a special screening of the film in St. Petersburg.