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Plot

Two brothers unwittingly exchange roles under the fog of war in this powerful drama. Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) and Jannick (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) are two brothers who have always meshed as well as oil and water. Michael is a caring husband and father who risen to the rank of major in the Danish Army, while Jannick is an alcoholic with a violent streak who has been in and out of prison much of his life. Jannick has just been released after serving time for armed robbery when Michael learns he's being sent to Afghanistan; Jannick quarrels with both Michael and his parents at a going-away dinner, which does nothing to endear him to Michael's wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen). However, when Sarah receives word that Michael's helicopter has been shot down and the crew has gone missing, Jannick tries to assume some degree of familial responsibility, helping Sarah with the children and helping to keep the house in repair. As the months roll on, Jannick finds that family life agrees with him; he cuts back on his drinking, gets a job, and grows increasingly fond of Sarah, who also takes a liking to her brother-in-law's new style. However, as Jannick finally grows into a responsible adult, he and Sarah learn that Michael has been released from an Afghan military prison and is being sent home. As Sarah and Jannick come to terms with their feelings for one another, they are disturbed by Michael's new presence; after several hellish months in captivity, he's become an angry and emotionally broken man, who is haunted by ugly memories and suspects his wife and brother of betrayal.
MPAA Rating:
R for violence, language and brief nudity.
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
110min.
Theatrical Release Date:
05/06/2005
DVD Release Date:
09/20/2005
Distributor(s):
Independent Artists
Director(s):
Susanne Bier
Starring:
Connie Nielsen , Ulrich Thomsen , Nikolaj Lie Kaas , Bent Mejding , Solbjørg Højfeldt
Themes:
Haunted By the Past,Home From the War,Sibling Relationships
Tone:
Cathartic,Compassionate,Drab,Intimate,Poignant,Tense
Keywords:
Afghanistan,MIA (Missing in Action),United-Nations,bitterness,brother,ex-convict,helicopter,imprisonment,loyalty,paranoia,peacekeeping,sister-in-law,soldier,torment
Country of Origin:
USA - Limited (05-06-2005)
Language:
Danish