Acusado

If Sofie Gråbøl gets any better than in this movie, it's scary!! I hope for her that she can keep on improving her acting, but I fear that she will be on a "Mission Impossible" if she has to do better than this performance. She is simply outstanding, and she singlehandedly saves the movie, when the script runs away with it round an easy Hollywood corner, that makes everything fit too well into script-mathematics. Just watched the extra material on DVD and was a bit embarrassed on behalf of director Jacob Thuesen, when after meeting the press at The Berlinale (Film Festival) he seemed surprised, that his audience wanted to talk about the subject of the film (incest), rather than the "filmtechnical matters" (which he had hoped for). Proves to me, that this was another film where the filmmakers aim for the perfect effective drama, rather than caring for what is on their mind and heart. Damn effective though - not least through the first 4/5 of the movie.

Anklaget "Accused"

Directed by Jacob Thuesen (2005)

The every day life of an ordinary family father is shredded to pieces, when he is accused of having had intercourse / incest with his 13-year old daughter. We follow the father Henrik, and how his life and whole existence is turned upside down. Even before the case against him begins, everybody except his loving wife and his best friend now takes an extra look at him. And when he gets be remanded in custody he is close to devastation.

This is an original story that deals with a very controversial and unpleasant subject. It is disturbing but though realistic, thanks to the actors and director who handles this case excellent. Troels Lyby gives a great leading performance as the accused father, and in the two supporting roles as his wife and as his best friend we find Sofie Gråbøl and Paw Henriksen who solves their roles very good. Especially Sofie Gråbøl gives her character depth and credibility.

8/10

While the VERY last scene, of HENRIK in his Bath-robe, leaves one pondering about the message or intent..., this story's climatic build-up is -both- truthful and believable ! At first, tantalizing and intriguing for the first twenty minutes, the tension sets-in whence the councilors/lawyer's, is taken aback by HENRIK's attitude and questions ...; meanwhile we have the incredible interventions of (Sofie Grabol) NINA as a loving/warm/tender/sexually satisfied wife and mother ...; the (daughter's) STINE, mostly still-life presence and expressions are just incredible and beyond words ...! Mr. TROELS LYBY's presence & rendition is just extreme or too natural, Mrs. SOFIE GRABOL is just too much right as a Wife and Mother ... as well as a shining-out presence ... while either direction and photography are unquestionably good.

Shortly-put, this is {another} of a very limited number of quality films, with subject or renewing script's visualization ! P.S.: Sofie Grabol is a gorgeous and incredibly good actress. ... as proved with her lead in the recent "The Killing" three Danish TV's series ... !

Normally the name of screenwriter Kim Fupz Aakesonon a Danish film is enough to make my blood freeze. His proletaristic, mind-numbing dialog (mostly consisting of ummmm.... f****... errr s***) is enough to drive me up the wall, and the terribly dull "everyday" (as if people died in car crashes or went insane were everyday things) stories were tiresome. So my expectations for this film were low. Yet I was to be surprised: Director Jacob Thuesen has turned the "everyday" story on it's head, and created a searing critique of the welfare state, the middle class, and society's (particularly the legal system) increasing dependence on experts, and their influence on people's lives.

Troels Lyby is amazing as the father accused of incest, and for once Aakeson's dialogue is fascinating and sharp. For a Danish film it is impressively edited and filmed, and the visual style (especially the unconventional character introductions) is fittingly cold and edgy. The only problem with this film is that it goes on for about ten minutes too long, and the fact that Sofie Graabøl is simply too tried and tested in this sort of film to be anything else than tiresome.

Overall, a greatly underrated movie. I might actually look forward to Aakeson's next film.

This movie in the same boat as JAGTEN and THE CELEBRATON films. I have to say that the acting is very well made, the picture quality was great. I was stoked for the most of the movie. However, the movie is confusing at times; It showcases sometimes random scenes that have nothing to do with the scene which is going on.

Another problem i kinda have is that our victim has zero buildup. We know nothing about her, except her trauma, and that she lied a lot. That's all we know. I think what could of helped a bit was some kind of depth (But then again THE CELEBRATION didn't have much buildup of the victims either).

This whole movie is a puzzle that you have to solve if the father is guilty or not? This movie and JAGTEN show very well how adults (Complete adults over 25), end up if they are accused of such horrific crime. This is the MURDER of the SOUL.

I have to be honest, i have believed that the father is guilty at the start, because he just came off as heartless. The only character that is extremely likeable is the Mother. She truly is a very likeable character that is trying her best to love her husband, but have her daughter with them. I felt horrible for her.

Yes i can recommend this movie it was very well executed. However it does get difficult to follow at times. If you want some similar films too; Go watch JAGTEN and CELEBRATION.