The new psychological comedy/drama Force Majeure asks an interesting question--can a single moment change the course of a relationship's entire span? Then, the film does something even more interesting---it stimulates the viewer's mind not by bringing about any real idea of the question but rather by never stepping anywhere near an answer to it. This is a film that makes the audience wonder why it is so engaging. It's not really saying anything in and of itself. It presents the idea for a great film and proceeds to leave that idea alone. However, that seems to make the overall effect that much more. Watching these events unfold, I was reminded of the Before Trilogy, which tracks Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in both the sheer joys and rough patches of their long relationship. In both cases, the idea that the entire film consists of conversations that feel like ones everyone has had seems more exciting than anything else playing at the local multiplex. These are characters that fascinate in how real they are.
The film follows Tomas (Johannes Kuhnke,) a seemingly loving father and husband who is on a ski trip with his family in the mountains. His wife, Ebba (Lisa Loven Kongsli) and kids Vera and Harry (real life brother and sister Clara and Vincent Wettegren) seem to love him and are all having a good time. However, when at lunch, they experience what appears to be an uncontrolled and potentially deadly avalanche. Tomas panics when this happens, grabbing his phone and running away without his wife or kids. Ebba tells people that this was Tomas's own selfishness and he doesn't care about her or their children enough to save them. Variations of "don't worry---this was a knee jerk reaction anyone would have when a random avalanche seems to be hitting" are spoken to her. However, she's having none of it. This leads to a fascinating question for the audience--who do you trust? Sure, the wife knows Tomas more than his defenders but she might also be having an abnormal reaction herself. On the other hand, the defenders sound reasonable enough to say this was not really his fault but would they not feel how Ebba feels if in her position?
The acting is terrific, as Kuhnke and Kongsli are both great at showing their respective sides without ever giving either character too much sympathy or reason for hatred. The Wettegren siblings are impressively good at letting their emotional range fly as they see their parents being torn apart by what seems like not much in their mind. Kristofer Hivju and Fanni Metelius are also great in the comic relief roles as Mats and Fanny, a couple who hang out with Tomas and Ebba and seem to view the situation from both angles.
As written and directed by Ruben Ostlund, this is a terrific film in both fields. The dialogue is witty and deep without ever feeling like it's trying too hard to be either. These people talk in ways that feel legitimate but it never seems to be going too heavily for that. The direction is amazing. For a film that's mostly people having very engaging conversations, this is shockingly one of the most visually stunning films I have ever laid eyes on. The set pieces, ranging from the eye popping slopes to the wonderfully designed hotel that the couples are staying in to the beautiful simplicity of a bus are terrific. The visuals make the overall feel of the film even enticing and realistic.
While the film does lag in a few parts (the last 20 minutes or so could have used some particular editing,) this is a terrific film. It is funny, smart, daring, moving, explosive, charming, heartbreaking, ETC all in one fell swoop. Ostlund has made a film that has the depth of a real life being unfolded before the viewer's eyes. In a lot of ways, this feels like what would have happened if the filming from The Truman Show was edited and released to the general public in cinemas. It's that life like.
(4 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for some language and brief nudity)
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