Open Hearts
2003 ‘Elsker Dig For Evigt’ Directed by Susanne Bier
Synopsis
A strong film about the power of coincidences, love, and the unpredictability of fate. A remake of this Danish film is planned by American director Zack Braff in the coming year.
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Viewed through a bare-bone aesthetic which sheds any unnecessary gloss, Open Hearts focuses on capturing human emotions in their rawest forms. 'Adults' overwhelmed by the confusion of tragedy, loneliness and familial situations react with immature haste and lack of foresight, causing both the crashing and building of relationships. If anyone has experienced unappeased break-ups, loss or divorce—from either an adult or child's perspective—then this film will break through those shielded wounds and offer new understanding and insight toward the parties involved. Some of the characters' carelessness stir-up a feeling of severe frustration inside me, but, taking a step back, it is clear to see they are abundantly flawed people yet entirely understandable, that their humanity seeps through even the worst…
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This was the first Susanne Bier film I saw. I have not seen it for 9 years. This is a dogma film but the camera is not all over the place. The story is full of moral dilemmas, interesting situations and unanswered questions. What I liked most about this film is how spot in it is on human emotions. The way people react to things is so believable. It is not often one sees this in a film.
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Wow. So heartbreaking and beautiful. So raw. So emotional. So sentimental. The plot seems to unravel at a perfect pace, depicting the tragedy that is life itself. Really, wow. I didn't expect to be so moved by this film.
Danish cinema fascinates me more and more with every film I watch, the most interesting style being the Dogme 95 movement. Surprisingly (for me) successful; obviously, the right minds came upon the idea at the right time. 'Open Hearts' probably wouldn't have been quite as touhing and emotionally gripping had it not been filmed in the style of Dogme 95. The shots, the camera movements - even the soundrack - manage to capture a beautiful kind of rawness I have struggled…
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This is a truly heart breaking film right from the beginning. I started crying about five to ten minutes into it and didn’t stop dripping until the end. Cæcilie and Joachim are obviously very happy and in love in the beginning, and then it is just ripped away from them. Joachim is paralysed and their lives are all irrevocably changed.
This is another film from the Dogme95 collection, which means that a great story combined with brilliant acting is pretty much a given. Everything about these films are so believable and so true.
I loved the moments where you saw, not what was happening but what the characters wanted to be happening in their hearts. When Cæcilie found out the…
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Open Hearts is a wonderful film. I was completely mesmerised for the whole 2 hours.
The story concerns a young women, Cæcilie, coming to terms with loss. The loss of her able bodied fiance (Joachim) who is tragically paralysed from the neck down due to an automobile accident. The loss of her life as it was and the loss of her life as it will be.
Overcome with grief Cæcilie takes comfort in the arms of the husband of the women who caused the accident.
Susanne Bier's film brilliantly captures the depths and the intensity of the feelings of all those involved in this tragedy. Just like Festen, you can feel the vitality and the energy of the actors pouring out of the screen
The critics can say whatever they want about Dogme 95, arty, pretentious, yada yada yada, I'm not listening. Open Hearts is awesome.
Recent reviews
More-
Viewed through a bare-bone aesthetic which sheds any unnecessary gloss, Open Hearts focuses on capturing human emotions in their rawest forms. 'Adults' overwhelmed by the confusion of tragedy, loneliness and familial situations react with immature haste and lack of foresight, causing both the crashing and building of relationships. If anyone has experienced unappeased break-ups, loss or divorce—from either an adult or child's perspective—then this film will break through those shielded wounds and offer new understanding and insight toward the parties involved. Some of the characters' carelessness stir-up a feeling of severe frustration inside me, but, taking a step back, it is clear to see they are abundantly flawed people yet entirely understandable, that their humanity seeps through even the worst…
-
Wow. So heartbreaking and beautiful. So raw. So emotional. So sentimental. The plot seems to unravel at a perfect pace, depicting the tragedy that is life itself. Really, wow. I didn't expect to be so moved by this film.
Danish cinema fascinates me more and more with every film I watch, the most interesting style being the Dogme 95 movement. Surprisingly (for me) successful; obviously, the right minds came upon the idea at the right time. 'Open Hearts' probably wouldn't have been quite as touhing and emotionally gripping had it not been filmed in the style of Dogme 95. The shots, the camera movements - even the soundrack - manage to capture a beautiful kind of rawness I have struggled…
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A great little Dogma film with good performances by all involved. Marie is out driving with her daughter Stine and accidentally runs over Joachim, who is getting out of a car, having just kissed Cæcilie, his fiancée, goodbye. Once at the hospital it turns out the doctor she talks to is the husband of Marie, Niels. As Joachim can't deal with what has happened, Cæcilie turns to Niels for comfort.
A good example of how one random event can change your life and the path you are going down forever.
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This was the first Susanne Bier film I saw. I have not seen it for 9 years. This is a dogma film but the camera is not all over the place. The story is full of moral dilemmas, interesting situations and unanswered questions. What I liked most about this film is how spot in it is on human emotions. The way people react to things is so believable. It is not often one sees this in a film.
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A powerful drama with excellent performances by everyone. Very moving.
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Elsker dig for evigt
"I really enjoyed this film, despite one of my children having cut about 20 minutes from the middle of it (and neglecting to mention that to me). The film follows five individuals linked through a serious car accident and adultery. The Dogme rules enhance the portrayal of pain, hurt, deceit, betrayal and confusion caused by the actions of those in the film." -
This is a truly heart breaking film right from the beginning. I started crying about five to ten minutes into it and didn’t stop dripping until the end. Cæcilie and Joachim are obviously very happy and in love in the beginning, and then it is just ripped away from them. Joachim is paralysed and their lives are all irrevocably changed.
This is another film from the Dogme95 collection, which means that a great story combined with brilliant acting is pretty much a given. Everything about these films are so believable and so true.
I loved the moments where you saw, not what was happening but what the characters wanted to be happening in their hearts. When Cæcilie found out the…
-
Open Hearts is a wonderful film. I was completely mesmerised for the whole 2 hours.
The story concerns a young women, Cæcilie, coming to terms with loss. The loss of her able bodied fiance (Joachim) who is tragically paralysed from the neck down due to an automobile accident. The loss of her life as it was and the loss of her life as it will be.
Overcome with grief Cæcilie takes comfort in the arms of the husband of the women who caused the accident.
Susanne Bier's film brilliantly captures the depths and the intensity of the feelings of all those involved in this tragedy. Just like Festen, you can feel the vitality and the energy of the actors pouring out of the screen
The critics can say whatever they want about Dogme 95, arty, pretentious, yada yada yada, I'm not listening. Open Hearts is awesome.
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Fantastic film about lasting love, commitment, and intersecting paths. Susanne Bier does a great job intertwining the various relationships in the film and the actors deliver honest, vulnerable performances.