Druk AKA Another Round

Druk AKA Another Round (7.5/10)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish
Year: 2020

40 minutes into this film, and I couldn't stop myself from getting a drink - LOL. No, Druk aka Another Round doesn't advocate alcohol or alcoholism, but this film illustrates a lot of drinking scenes, hence I decided to get my 0.05 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) right. For those, who haven't seen this film, or don't know (like myself) about Norweigian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud BAC theory - the core subject of this film is based on his theory while scrutinizing the pros and cons of alcohol on society as a whole by paraphrasing the lives of four individuals. 

Skårderud's theory states that a BAC level of 0.05 makes a person more efficient and creative, thus four friends try to implicate the same in their professional and personal lives. The treatment of the film is alluring - the scenes mostly comprise of master shots like the good old days, breathtaking performances, and some excellent music - certifying its credibility as one of the most acclaimed European films in recent times. 

Even though Thomas Vinterberg's Dramedy didn't make it to the final list of films nominated for the Best Foreign Film category in this year's Academy Awards, it cements the perspective of cinema as a medium of storytelling and art. 

The story is about four friends, serving as teachers, working in the same high school trying to boost up their individual struggling lives through alcohol until they realize its repercussions.

 Writer and director Thomas Vinterberg choose a topic that has a lot of relevance in today's society drawing a line between perseverance and addiction. Mads Mikkelsen might be bereft of the appreciation he deserves as an actor throughout his prolonged career, but every time I see him on screen he creates this magnetic field through his attractive performance. Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe create the perfect camaraderie in their supporting roles. Sturla Brandth Grøvlen cinematography is pivotal. The sound and editing contribute a lot to make this film memorable. 

Whether you decide to have another round of drinks after watching this film is irrelevant (jokes apart), but Druk is worthy of its reputation.