Accused (2005) User Reviews

- A disturbing movie that deals with a controversial subject.

[Malte006 · 8/10 · 11 September 2005]

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

very strong performances - the end was kind of weak

[Zaffy-1 · 7/10 · 6 May 2016]

This movie was like a strong punch in your gut.

A daughter blames her father for sexual abuse and the film follows the consequences of this in every level: the police procedure, the trial, the little girl, the parents and their friends. It is unpleasant and almost suffocating to watch it.

**** SPOILERS ****** ********************

For the 4/5 of the movie the director plays it like if the father is the victim of a confused teenager who keeps lying. It is filmed like if the father is innocent and you suffer with him through his whole ordeal. Near the end it is revealed he was guilty all along and his daughter was saying the truth.

This manipulation I didn't like and it ruined the movie a bit for me. I would prefer the story to follow the true nature of the father from the beginning and not trying to shock the viewer. That twist wasn't needed. Imho, it would be braver and more interesting to follow the father knowing he was guilty.

Excellent performances from everyone involved.

JAGTEN REVERSE.

[DarkSpotOn · 8/10 · 11 June 2023]

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.

Sofie Gråbøl is outstanding

[asj-3 · 7/10 · 11 November 2005]

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.

Disturbing

[josantoddi · 6/10 · 22 May 2021]

This movie felt very true to life, unfortunately. And I believe it was far too sympathetic to some characters. As a result, it left me feeling disturbed. Why does this crap always go down like this? No justice.

Where's my Xanax?

Aakeson writes good-film shocker!

[Vanihm · 9/10 · 21 March 2005]

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.

A movie you're going to remember

[johannasisko · 10/10 · 11 April 2018]

This is one of my favourite movies of all time. It's shocking, thought-provoking and skilfully made.

Not only does Anklaget deal with a taboo topic, incest (the father is accused of it), it also discusses the ways the human mind deals with such a thing (and they are a taboo on their own).

The movie is psychologically insightful. The most important insights don't come via much talk, but with elegant dialogue and the arrangement of scenes.

In many ways this is a one-of-a-kind movie. Terribly underrated.

Very tense, sensibly rendered, ... tough and reality questioning subject !

[Elisabetha49 · 9/10 · 16 September 2011]

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 ... !

The biggest twist in 2005, and perhaps in danish film history

[mmuggi · 9/10 · 30 September 2020]

This film is from 2005, when Troels Lyby was nominated for a silver bear. It has the biggest twist in 2005, and possibly one of the biggest twists in Danish film history. It is a solid film, with solid performances. The police work is also more or less reproduced correctly.

It's a movie that's not pleasant to watch, but it's because of its content. However, I, like many others, am not entirely happy with the last scene. It gets a little too high-flying.

Heavy accusations

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 19 June 2021]

If a kid accuses an adult of having done inappropriate things to her (in this case it is her, could also be him) .. well that adult is in quite some trouble. Not just in the justice system, but even if he gets a not guilty verdict ... but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

This has to be decided by the courts and there are things that do suggest what might be the truth behind it all. A very heavy drama, that does a really good job with the theme it chose to depict and have as central subject matter. Great actors and great twists and turns, even if you yourself may be aware of the "truth" early on (there is only one of two choices so guessing right is not really saying anything) ...

I will never forget this one!

[Guanche48 · 9/10 · 6 January 2024]

Very good movie, it blew me away to be honest. Once again, the quality of Scandinavian movies and series surpasses everything else.

The film is very well told and edited, and the way of filming seemed most wonderful to me. You don't see the daughter in the movie, Stine, until quite late, which increases the tension when you see her for the first time. We experience everything from the fathers perspective, Henrik. It gets to the point that our hearts beat with him and what he feels, very strong. Is he guilty or innocent?

The main actors, Troels Lyby and Sofie Grâbol, are absolutely convincing, very good actors, and I loved seeing this actress again, unforgettable in the series 'The Killing', don't miss this one.

The role of the mother, the actress Sofie G, Nina in the movie, was quite disturbing for me, a weird woman, and she also brings sweets to her husband in prison, I guess is a form of insecurity and not knowing what to do after such a strong accusation. But I am only guessing. She didn't strike me as a woman with maternal capabilities. This fact increases the tension and suspense even more during the whole process.

I recommend it without a doubt, very strong psychologically, it goes to the point and is very realistic. The tension increases every second until the very end, the most unexpected and satisfying in my opinion. Great movie!