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In a Better World (15)

Drama, Thriller

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.

More information on this production is available at www.axiomfilms.co.uk.

The critical consensus

It's undeniably thoughtful and impressively crafted by the talented Bier but its pair of parallel storylines don't live up to all that Oscar hype.

***(*)(*)David Parkinson, Empire Online, 15/08/2011

It’s a powerfully acted work, especially by newcomer Jonk Nielsen, and Bier punctuates proceedings by some striking landscape images of both Denmark and Africa. A pity then to note that In a Better World ultimately loses its way amid a flurry of last-minute rescues and familial reconciliations, reflecting an obligation perhaps to live up to the film’s idealistic title.

***(*)(*)Tom Dawson, The List, 15/08/2011

A compelling coming-of-age story and an intriguing examination of notions of masculinity.

Laurence Boyce, Little White Lies, 18/08/2011

Bier’s craft is impeccable; she balances these seemingly disparate but thematically relevant plots with a dramatic flair that provokes relentless tension. Jumping to and from Denmark and Sudan initially relieves this anxiety, but the audience is quickly reminded of the universal permeation of these concepts and the struggle they present to perceptions of masculinity.

David McGinty, The Edinburgh Reporter, 19/08/2011

Susanne Bier won this year’s foreign-film Oscar for her latest drama, a well-acted if glibly configured statement about violence begetting violence on two continents.

***(*)(*)Tim Robey, The Telegraph, 18/08/2011

The sentiments behind the film are praiseworthy, but it's not quite enough.

**(*)(*)(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 18/08/2011

Only in the last reel does its sure touch falter, with Bier seemingly unable to let her story go.

***(*)(*)Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 19/08/2011

A thought-provoking, powerfully acted and resonant exploration of rough justice in the modern world.

****(*)Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express, 19/08/2011

It’s not bad, just not particularly good.

***(*)(*)Chris Buckle, The Skinny, 19/08/2011

It's engaging enough, but its conclusions are a little pat.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 20/08/2011

The movie holds your attention, but you leave discussing the manipulative plot rather than the moral issues it raises.

Philip French, The Observer, 21/08/2011

Susanne Bier's social drama boldly admits that the situation has its complications, only to iron those complications out in time for the disappointingly neat and tidy ending.

Nicholas Barber, The Independent on Sunday, 21/08/2011

Though sometimes guilty of not quitting while it is ahead, terrific performances from kids and adults alike means it’s rarely less than utterly gripping.

Paul Greenwood, Evening Times, 01/09/2011

In a Better World (15)

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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