A picture perfect Swedish family is introduced in the opening scene, as Tomas (Johannes Bah Kuhnke), wife Ebba (Lisa Loven Kongsli), and their two beautiful children, Vera and Harry (real-life siblings Clara and Vincent Wettergren), pose for a photographer on the first day of their skiing vacation at Les Arcs in the magnificent French Alps. The following afternoon, while they're enjoying a festive lunch at an outdoor café, a terrifying cascade of snow appears to be headed directly towards them. “It's a controlled avalanche,” explains Tomas. “It doesn't look controlled to me,” retorts Ebba, when they are suddenly blanketed in an eerie mist. In that moment, a panicked Tomas grabs his iPhone and flees, while Ebba tries to protect the frightened children. Sheepishly returning shortly afterwards, Tomas realizes that their family dynamic has changed. And it is not just because of what he's done, but also because he lies about leaving, a denial that infuriates Ebba even more, as they recount their contrasting versions of what happened to Norwegian friends (Kristofer Hivju, Fanni Metelius) at their Alpine hotel. Written and directed by Ruben Östlund, this is a provocative psychodrama, revolving around one man's survival instinct and subsequent guilt that lead to marital discord. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an interview with writer-director Ruben Östlund and actor Johannes Bah Kuhnke (17 min.), an AXS TV segment (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine foreign film.] (S. Granger)
Force Majeure
Magnolia, 119 min., in Swedish w/English subtitles, R, DVD: $26.98, Blu-ray: $29.98, Feb. 10 Volume 30, Issue 2
Force Majeure
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