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Mads Mikkelsen, Rolf Lassgård, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Stine Fischer Christensen, Christian Tafdrup ... see more see more... , Frederik Gullits Ernst , Kristian Gullits Ernst , Ida Dwinger , Mona Malm , Neeral Mulchandani , Meenal Petal

A multi-millionaire wants to know how much his money can really buy in this drama from Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier. Though born and raised in Denmark, Jacob Peterson (Mads Mikkelsen) has made a life... read more read more... for himself in India, where he runs an orphanage for homeless children. While Jacob cares little for money, raising funds is part of the responsibilities of his position, and when he learns that Jørgan (Rolf Lassgård), a wealthy Danish businessman, is willing to donate four million dollars under the condition that he meet with him in person, Jacob grudgingly hops a flight back home. Once in Denmark, Jørgan insists that Jacob attend the wedding of his daughter the next day; at the celebration he meets Jørgan's wife, Helene (Sidse Babett Knudsen), whom he recognizes as someone he knew many years ago. As Jacob finds himself revisiting a past he would prefer to forget, he discovers that Jørgan has an ulterior motive for bringing him to Denmark -- the wealthy man is in poor health, and while the donation will help ease some of his guilt over a life of avarice, he's also looking for someone to take over as Helene's husband after he dies. Efter Brylluppet (aka After the Wedding) received its North American premiere at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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86% liked it

82,352 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

100 critics

R, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Susanne Bier

Release Date: February 24, 2006

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DVD Release Date: July 10, 2007

Stats: 2,200 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,200)

  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    After The Wedding is a meaningful tale of two fathers sharing the same challenges on love, family, sorrow, and irony. A potent strong argument on life affirmation and fatherhood with sophisticated story, cinematic style, and performances. Lovely, surprising, and dignified.
  • SarahG1988
    January 17, 2010
    SarahG1988
    A film that really delves deep into the psyche of a family struggling with the family secret that gets revealed, only to reveal another. Some strong performances in Susan Bier's Danish drama, including Mads Mikkelsen of Casino Royale fame and Rolf Lassgard. Although, you can see ... read morethe plot coming at times, the direction and writing really reveals something extrodinary in these characters that you can relate to.

    Bier also gives us as an audience, small glimpses into important frames coming in the film, like small pieces in a puzle waiting to come together. Subsequently, developing each character accordingly so that we end up knowing all characters incredibly well. There are also many close-up shots of the characters, which adds to the emotion that these characters feel. One excellent film indeed.

    *Recomended Watch*
  • matertenebraum
    April 30, 2009
    matertenebraum
    I knew nothing about this film before going to see it except that it was Oscar nominated and starred Bond's 'Casino Royale' foe Mads Mikkelsen. But I'd heard good things and despite it being a day so sunny in April that you should really spend it in the park I ventured into the d... read moreark cinema. All I can say is that I am so, so glad I did as this has to be one of the best films I have seen this year. Jacob (Mikkelsen) runs an orphanage/school in India that due to funding will have to close if they don't do something quickly, cue a phone call from Denmark where a millionaire is looking to invest some money in a good cause and Jacob has no choice but to go home and try to win over the mystery funder. Cut to Copenhagen and the very rich living of Jorgen and his family, a self-made millionaire Jorgen is preparing for the Wedding of his daughter and as his family gather round the mansion we see that he has a pretty good life. Cut back to Jacob who after living in squalid conditions in India for so long is struggling to understand the swish hotel he's been booked in for his visit. When the two meet to discuss the investment Jacob is over enthusiastic but Jorgen is nonchalant and pre-occupied with the weekends approaching festivities, so much so he decides to conclude the deal on Monday and seeing as Jacob is here on his invitation with nothing to do all weekend he decides to ask him to attend the wedding. So far so seemingly normal. It is at this point that the film takes some dramatic turns and through a series of unexpected events, a few skeletons in closets, the past and emotive performances, becomes a really deep and moving piece of cinema. I don't want to spoil it by saying anymore about it except it's nothing short of brilliant. I haven't seen a film for ages that deals with such negative and positive issues with such compassion and integrity without being hammy or over the top. The direction is flawless, the music is fitting and the cinematography is almost dogma in style but with a certain crispness to it. The performances are outstanding and it's not hard to see why it was Oscar nominated and won countless awards. The way the script is superbly written it reminded of 'Secrets and Lies' by Mike Leigh in the way it captures humans acting realistically in real situations. By the time the film starts to conclude the tissues were coming out to wipe away the tears of sadness and joy, which is a very powerful position to be in for any film, and the audience left the auditorium into bright sunshine glad like me that they'd had chance to see this amazing piece of cinema.
  • SilentWarProductions2009
    January 20, 2009
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: Susanne Bier.
    Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Rolf Lassgård, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Stine Fischer Christensen.

    The film may seem like many Hollywood films released each year, but the problem with those is that they don't succeed in making us car... read moree for there characters and the films just turn out to be average, After the Wedding is a rare film that is done brilliantly.

    The films starts with Jacob, a man from Denmark who owns an orphanage in India and he has dedicated his life to these kids, especially one in particular. When it appears that the orphanage is on the verge of closure due to lack of funding, an unusual offer comes along. A billionaire businessman from Denmark, offers him a donation, but he also has to come to his daughters wedding. He approves and soon finds out the secrets of this family.

    Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen turn in a brilliantly written, character study that also provides its fair share of twists, deceit and lies among these characters. But that is the strong point of this film...character.

    The film moves slowly in parts but Bier and Jensen deliver these characters with such humanity and depth, we learn to both care for and hate these characters and when 'sentimental' moments arise, it isn't forced, it certainly bought a tear to my eye.

    Bier is also behind the camera and she works brilliantly with her characters, she stays up close and personal with them and allows them to shine in the most perfect moments.

    The performances here are absolutely outstanding, Mads Mikkelsen proves to be quite subtle and brilliant in his role, his eyes are really captivating, but the lady to mention is Stine Fischer Christensen. A beautiful young actress, but one with shocking power and depth in her role, she helps to pack an emotional punch in a lot of scenes.

    The film does appear melodramatic at first glance, but the filmmakers have done what Hollywood fails at and that is making it refreshing, intense, emotional, full of character and very real. Definitely deserving of its Academy Award nomination.

    87/100
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    January 19, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "champagne is poured... secrets are spilled."

    A multi-millionaire wants to know how much his money can really buy in this drama from Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier. Though born and raised in Denmark, Jacob Peterson (Mads Mikkelsen) has made a life for himself in India, w... read morehere he runs an orphanage for homeless children. While Jacob cares little for money, raising funds is part of the responsibilities of his position, and when he learns that Jørgan (Rolf Lassgård), a wealthy Danish businessman, is willing to donate four million dollars under the condition that he meet with him in person, Jacob grudgingly hops a flight back home. Once in Denmark, Jørgan insists that Jacob attend the wedding of his daughter the next day; at the celebration he meets Jørgan's wife, Helene (Sidse Babett Knudsen), whom he recognizes as someone he knew many years ago. As Jacob finds himself revisiting a past he would prefer to forget, he discovers that Jørgan has an ulterior motive for bringing him to Denmark -- the wealthy man is in poor health, and while the donation will help ease some of his guilt over a life of avarice, he's also looking for someone to take over as Helene's husband after he dies.

    Review
    Sweet sorrow permeates through Susanne Bier's Oscar nominated "After the Wedding", a quietly testing film that tepidly breaks free from the shackles of the Dogme manifestos to deliver an incredibly subtle celebration of family. Paternal pacification is as good a reason as any to explore with overwhelming and eloquent sentimentality when Jacob (Mads Mikkelsen) is arm-twisted into returning to his native Denmark to seek out funds for his orphanage's young charges in India. He meets with the seemingly magnanimous Jorgen (Rolf Lassgard, filling the screen with his sheer presence), a millionaire that invites him to his daughter's wedding and in the process sets the wheels of redemption into motion. Bier's most prominent work thus far is also her most joyous when she bravely evokes the goodness in her characters, working the circumstances to peel away the layers of tacit human desires and destructive pride. Blessed with superlative performances across the board, a particularly inspired turn by Mikkelsen serves as Bier's dramatic lynchpin for her film's gentle twists and turns. But even its sudsy plot developments work well in Bier's kinetic and expertly crafted dreamworld, which despite its otherworldly state still manages to disclose the bare and conspicuous design of mortality and compassion.
  • bbcfloridabound
    December 6, 2008
    bbcfloridabound
    Beyond any shadow of a doubt the very best movie I have ever seen. This writer has captured every emotion that a person can have. I listen to it in Dutch with English Subtitles. Even the still shots had meaning you just have to think about them. Every actor should be an award win... read morener. Oh yea its in the collection.
  • kiriyamakazou
    July 3, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    My second Bier film in as many weeks and an obvious sign she is no fluke artist. Her style of camera work is impeccable. As it drifts into extreme close-ups and hand held hypnotic beauty. The film may rely on a series of great coincidences but it soon straightens them out and off... read moreers up a highly emotional drama. People are complex and we see a vast array of painful moments portrayed with absolute perfection. Mikkelsen is again stunning and all the relationships are wonderfully built upon.
  • binky013
    November 26, 2007
    binky013
    Who cares? The only time I was actually moved by this film is at the point where Lassgard expresses his true feelings about dying. I mean just barely moved. It's just not enough. One of the most ploddingly predictable scripts in recent memory. Don't waste time on this one.
  • gor41
    September 22, 2007
    gor41
    Well acted family saga with a big debt to Festen but with a strong enough narrative to distinguish itself. The use of my favorite Sigur Ros track at a key moment helped me warm to the work but the frequent use of close-up seemed a little forced and some scenes are somewhat melodr... read moreamatic..
  • fb1144932598
    October 1, 2009
    fb1144932598
    A powerful, highly emotional, multi-layered story that plays out with total honesty. The film is a study in contrasts, between the abject poverty of working with orphans in India and the almost obscene wealth of a successful business man in Denmark. It sets the highly idealistic ... read moreJacob (Mads Mikkelson) against the very rich and very powerful Jorgen (Rolf Lassgard). It pits the needs of the family patriarch against the needs of his family. And it juxtaposes the security of the familiar against the sheer terror of facing the unknown. Like an onion, each layer of the film peels away to reveal even more layers of complexity as it unfolds. The acting is superb! The two aforementioned actors are complemented by Sidse Kbudsen as the wife of Jorgen and Stine Christiansen as their delicate daughter. The cast was so well matched, one could easily believe in the tangle of relationships and the fallout as each new connection was exposed. The script constantly amazed with its ability to reveal that which we realized we already knew without the viewer being conscious of the knowledge until that moment. And the actual filming was often breathtaking. The use of extreme close-ups, especially of the characters' eyes, served to illuminate the complex emotions that were being just barely held in check. Susanne Bier, the director who also wrote the story from which the screen play was adapted, has delivered a masterful film that relies on honest emotions to tell its story, and great entertainment.

View All Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
May 31, 2007
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Lovely, dense and surprising. Full Review

Jonathan F. Richards
May 28, 2007
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

One of the more interesting themes of this movie is the question of which is more important to a cause, the man or the money. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
May 10, 2007
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Yes, they throw more than rice at this Wedding, but it's all in service of an astutely observed and sometimes shattering human drama. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
May 4, 2007
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Bier's not timid about tossing any number of volatile ingredients into an already-simmering pot.

Michael Booth
May 4, 2007
Michael Booth, Denver Post

You leave the movie feeling exhausted, argumentative and exhilarated, surely the sign of a powerful film in any language. Full Review

Colin Covert
April 27, 2007
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

It's a traumatic journey peeling away those layers of secrecy, repression and regret, but the actors are equal to those hyper-emotional demands. After the Wedding is a story told with unsparing honest...

Andrew Sarris
April 25, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

May be the strangest and most surprising film you'll see this year, in that its character development runs counter to the expectations aroused by its narrative sequencing. Full Review

Desson Thomson
April 21, 2007
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The film brings us face to face with the movie's starkest truth: It's not whether or not we prevail over the inevitable setbacks in life, but who we connect with along the way. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
April 20, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

There are no guarantees with this sort of thing, but it really is possible that one or two scenes in After the Wedding will stay with you for the rest of your life. Full Review

Bill Stamets
April 20, 2007
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times

Sounds like a soap opera. But Danish director Susanne Bier builds a high-minded melodrama from this plot material. Full Review

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