Dir. Thomas Vinterberg â 4 Stars
Mads Mikkelsen stars as Martin in "Another Round."
In its original language, Danish director Thomas Vinterbergâs latest feature is called âDrukâ â translated literally, âBinge Drinking.â The official English title is a bit more poetic: âAnother Round.â As Denmarkâs submission to the 2021 Academy Awards for Best International Feature, this unique âdrinking dramaâ has quickly gathered acclaim and awards buzz. While the film risks glamorizing excessive drinking, âAnother Roundâ is also brilliantly acted with a life-affirming message.
The story follows four middle-aged high school teachers: Martin (Mads Mikkelsen), Nikolaj (Magnus Millang), Peter (Lars Ranthe), and Tommy (Thomas Bo Larsen). Martin feels out of touch with life, struggling to connect at home and at work. At a dinner party, Nikolaj brings up an obscure theory suggesting that humans are born with a BAC that is 0.05% too low, and that constantly drinking to that level makes one âmore relaxed and poised and musical and open. More courageous in general.â Martin â and his group of burnt-out friends â decide to test this philosophy.