A Royal Affair was Denmark’s entry for Best Foreign Picture at the Oscars in 2013 and it almost won. This movie is based on one of Denmark’s best and worse times. Headlined by the beautiful and talented Alicia Vikander and one of the best foreign actors alive Mads Mikkelsen. The story starts out filled with drama and trouble when the King Christian VII (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) picks a wife and the rest is history really. As stupid as he is, he never sees what is actually going on around him and how people are using him a puppet to change the government for the better. Based on the title alone, you know this isn’t a historical political movie, but a romance drama. I honestly can’t think off the top of my head who else would be an amazing couple like Vikander and Mikkelsen. Both put so much effort into their art that I was thrilled at the prospect of their forbidden romance. Just when everything is going good a problem arises and forces our lovers to reevaluate their relationship and position within the government. Things go from bad to worse pretty quick, so a slow build up explodes and comes to a realistic conclusion that will tear your heart out and maybe leave you pissed off. This isn’t one of those go home happy Hollywood movies, but geared towards a more realistic ending that left me wondering what could have gone down differently. I welcomed the opportunity to watch a Danish movie with English subtitles to pick up on any common words shared with Swedish (which I’m trying to learn). This film may be one of the best films that wasn’t made in North America over the last decade. The acting and storytelling had me, I just felt something was missing and that didn’t have me in tears as the end came. I do recommend people check this out if you are up for the challenge, or just want to see if our lovers will survive. 7/10
This movie was selected as part of the Cinema Scandinavia Nordic Film & TV Club located on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nordicfilmtvclub/
If you love Scandinavia movies and TV shows as much as I do, check out their website https://www.cinemascandinavia.com/
Ten Stars or Less 