Watch Copenhagen For Free

A Disappointing Continuation

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

First - Frederikke Dahl Hansen was wondrous. Sort of a Danish young Jennifer Lawrence. Magical - great career ahead of her! Gethin Anthony's character was rude, selfish, and very much like a spoiled two year-old throwing his darkest tantrum. My first reaction was - Dude, how could you do such a cliché of Americans? As his acting-out continued I was nagged by a strange sensation - his whole shtick rang false. It was too frenetic, too strained and hyper. Then I looked him up on IMDb and saw that he is not American at all, but in fact English. His character's pal is an English actor too. And the so-called writer/director, Raso, is also not American - he's Canadian.I find these young hipster prima donnas' appropriation of my culture and ethnicity offensive. If they want to be self-obsessed, snotty little narcissists, that's their choice. But they have no right - either artistically or ethically, to be dicks in MY name, as it were. How dare they pretend to be of another culture, only to sabotage and besmirch that culture from their disguise? That's dishonest to say the least. If they have a beef with Americans they should man-up and come right out and say it. Be known for who you are, dudes! They should use their own damn identity to defame the human condition, to befoul our waters. They should not hide by doing it by masquerading their intent and their "bona fides." Actors pretend, yes, but we also expect an authenticity of the artist. These clowns had none.This movie had so many exciting premises that promised a great indie gem. Instead, it misfired on most of them, and the result is rather a mess. Its worst sin, however, was not dropping the ball (that is to be forgiven in a first-time indie director), but rather in the clumsy ugliness of the male characters. More than merely having no redeeming qualities, the males here also gave me the creeps, and left me with a psychic sludge that was a bit painful.THAT was just bad manners on director Mark Raso's part.

Denmark. Ever since I chose it for a report in the seventh grade, it has been at the top of my countries to visit list. As for the film? A great one that illustrates not only how sometimes the best relationships transcend age and language barriers, but also how they do not necessarily have to involve sex or last forever. Better said by one of my favorite poems, author unknown: "A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime" People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person. When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on. Some people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it. It is real. But only for a season Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

I'd wager that I would have scored this lower if not for the visuals. I love Copenhagen, been many times and grow to love it more each time. In fact, that's pretty much why I decided to watch this one, because I love the city so much. However, outside of that, the film doesn't offer much more more. The controversial plot twist, I'll admit I did not see it coming. But I didn't find it engaging. It just made me grow more fed up with the main character who is almost instantly unlikable and doesn't improve despite the attempts of the film. In fact none of the characters are overly engaging, there is zero attachment to any of them. What a shame, some of the most interesting people I've ever come across were met in Copenhagen. The plot itself isn't bad, it's just not done well. Many of the plot developments happen all too conveniently without any engaging material to link them e.g. them finding the main characters father's name carved on the apartment floor within about fifteen seconds of arriving from thin air, then of course Effy's uncle just happens to work at a national statistics database to track him down. It's rushed, and dull. Can't really talk up the acting that accompanies all this as well.However, I obviously was invested enough to sit through to the end, so I wouldn't say it's the worst film I've reviewed... not even close. It has moments, not very many but some, the scene where he confronts his Grandfather is an engaging example. Overall, it has great potential, but it's executed poorly. I do know of people that like it, but it's just not for me.P.S. Go visit Copenhagen, it's awesome.

You'll probably read a lot of the other reviews here for this movie. So I'm not going to rehash the story line.It's a simple story of two souls who discover and guide each other over 24 hours together in Copenhagen. It has definite similarities to Rich Linklater's Before Sunrise (another of my favourites) but where it differs is in the mismatch in the two's age and maturity.Here Effy (played by the amazing Frederikke Dahl Hansen) is only 14 years old, and William (Gethin Anthony) is in his late twenties. However it's Effy the 'teenager' who guides William on his journey to discover his family (and himself as a man in the process). The soul journey and connection between this women-like teenage girl and this boy-like grown-up man is compelling. A must watch, not only for the chemistry between these two, but also the beauty of Copenhagen. Loved it. You will too.