Arven (2003) Inheritance

Directed by Per Fly

Starring Ulrich Thomsen (Festen, Brdre), Lisa Werlinder

Excellent Danish drama built around a youngish man, Christoffer who gives up his freedom and life to take responsibility for his familys business after his fathers suicide.

Christoffer has a fairly carefree life in Stockholm with his young actress wife Maria, he runs a successful restaurant and is relaxed and happy until the day he receives a phone call telling him of his fathers death. On returning home he is persuaded by his mother to take over running the family owned steel factory, much to the annoyance of Maria who wants to return to their home and lives. 

What follows is the disintegration and reconstruction of Christoffer (mainly instigated by his mother), he loses everything he cared about, Marie puts up with the change to their lives for two years (after which he had promised they would return to their previous lives) taking their newly born baby back to Stockholm with her. He loses lifelong friends and alienates members of his own family as he desperately tries to save the Company (his father had accumulated huge debts) and most importantly, he loses his lifestyle and freedom, in other words he loses himself. 

Remarried, though seemingly not for love, he takes a business trip to Stockholm and espies Marie with their young child, she hasnt changed, fresh, vibrant and happy to see him. He on the other hand has aged and become dour, they arrange for him to see her latest play then meet up afterwards. Is there hope for them, will they get back together, can he salvage anything of his former self?

I loved the acting, very good and naturalistic, no melodramatics here. The camera work is exceptional too, half the time you feel as though youre spying voyeuristically on this man and his life. The matriarch of the family is the real power behind the Company and she does her fair bit to ensure that Christoffer stays home, a real battleaxe. The film ably demonstrates the price of responsibility and power on the human soul.

Danish cinema has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years (no small thanks to a certain Lars von Trier) and this excellent film is just one example of its growth in stature on the world stage, highly recommended.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15

Region 2 Pal dvd available from Swipe films, Region 1 ntsc dvd available from Home Vision.