LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED (DANISH/ENGLISH)

From the first cords of Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” I was bamboozled emotionally; tearfully -smiling, heart- swelling, loving  the company of these compelling, real people: “Philip” (glorious performance by Pierce Brosnan,  magnificently aged, even his wrinkles have integrity), a widower, stringent, workaholic, living in Denmark; collides with “Ida” (enchanting portrayal by Trine Dyrholm, her incandescent smile, defines “love”) a hairdresser and cancer patient, (yoked to a feckless husband); on their way to Italy; serendipitously his son is marrying her daughter.

The plot shifts from the vicissitudes of a young couple, heedlessly plunging into marriage before their relationship has been seasoned, nurtured, challenged; a dysfunctional, salacious sister-in-law, spreading lewdness and untoward innuendos; a rollicking mistress with the barmy father- of –the- bride; snuggled in the lemon-scented, lavish landscape of southern Italy. At times reminiscent of “Mama Mia” but so much richer, devoid of saccharine sentimentality and banal performances.

Suzanne Bier’s (“A Better World”)“Love Is All You Need” (Beatles song from the 60’s)  is a beautiful example of two disparate individuals, through the ancient art of conversation, discovering pure, untrammeled paths to happiness.  A joyous portrait, transcending chronology;  verification that the heart remains perpetually, yearningly young; choice is eliminated in the selection process; when manifested, it can be miraculously, gloriously catastrophic.

THREE & 1/2 STARS!!!

For Now………Peneflix