In a Better World (R) 7.0

In a Better World (2010) "Hævnen" (The Revenge): The lives of two Danish families cross each other, and an extraordinary but risky friendship comes into bud. But loneliness, frailty and sorrow lie in wait. (7.6)

Director: Susanne Bier
Writers: Anders Thomas Jensen, Susanne Bier
Stars: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen
Language: Danish (w/ English subtitles)

The English title is a misnomer; better if they had kept the literal translation from Danish: "The Revenge." The movie contains multiple stories, inter-twined with each other, that have varying degrees of one person doing bad things to another and their consequences. How the person who suffers, mostly mental trauma and hurt, reacts is the key to the unraveling of the events. I must admit that after learning its original title, I'm looking at it with a different perspective. To me, "In a Better World" is preachy and carries a different connotation. The story is complex and has many lines, but the sequential presentation makes it easy to follow. The acting is very good, specially by the young actors. Liked the wide-angle shots of various scenes. Good drama, for a thinking person. My Rating: 7.0