"Another Round": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
Solely experiencing "Another Round" for its engaging leads and wacky subject matter is enough to warrant a recommendation. Director/ screenplay writer Thomas Vinterberg's ("The Hunt") off-the-wall storytelling techniques prove to be successful, but similar to his other films become increasingly contrived. The subtext about family, loneliness, and addiction does get unfortunately undermined by its own comedic elements, but when Mads Mikkelsen and company let loose, "Another Round" flourishes.
Four high school teachers decide to raise their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels above 0.05% to liven up their mundane lives.
There's not the consistent success you'd wish for with such a high-risk concept, but its ability to maintain a brisk pace is what keeps its material fresh. Otherwise, the film's conceptual themes lack an insight that would make Vinterberg's more elaborate aspirations meaningful. Thankfully, these faults don't strip away Mikkelsen's wonderfully complex showcase and hilarious dynamic with his three cohorts.
When "Another Round" attempts to tackle heavier themes, it falters. Vinterberg's directorial style doesn't craft the framework for a necessarily consistent piece of cinema, but rather an entertaining one. Between Mikkelsen's stand-out performance and Vinterberg's/ Tobias Windholm's inventive screenplay, there's plenty to enjoy here, even though its drama left me wanting more.
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