Force Majeure (2014)

A family vacationing in the French Alps is confronted with a devastating avalanche.

Director:

Ruben Östlund

Writer:

Ruben Östlund

Stars:

Johannes Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Clara Wettergren

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 31 wins & 37 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johannes Kuhnke	...	Tomas (as Johannes Bah Kuhnke)
Lisa Loven Kongsli	...	Ebba
Clara Wettergren	...	Vera
Vincent Wettergren	...	Harry
Kristofer Hivju	...	Mats
Fanni Metelius	...	Fanny
Karin Myrenberg	...	Charlotte (as Karin Myrenberg Faber)
Brady Corbet	...	Amerikanen
Johannes Moustos	...	Stadaren
Jorge Lattof	...	Tomba
Adrian Heinisch	...	Busschauffören
Michael Breitenberger	...	Rökande mannen
Karl Pincon	...	Turistfotografen (as Karl Pinçon)
Julie Roumogoux	...	Snowboardparet (as Julie Roumegoux)
Peter Gaunt	...	Snowboardparet

Storyline

A Swedish family travels to the French Alps to enjoy a few days of skiing. The sun is shining and the slopes are spectacular but, during a lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche turns everything upside down. With diners fleeing in all directions, mother Ebba calls for her husband Tomas as she tries to protect their children. Tomas, meanwhile, is running for his life... The anticipated disaster failed to occur, and yet the family's world has been shaken to its core, a question mark hanging over their father in particular. Tomas and Ebba's marriage now hangs in the balance as Tomas struggles desperately to reclaim his role as family patriarch.

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Plot Keywords:

passive aggressive woman | marital strife | wife matronizes husband | passive aggressive behavior | manipulative woman | 

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Taglines:

A film about disasters - both natural and man-made.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Ruben Östlund acquired inspiration for some scenes in the screenplay from real footage on YouTube. For example, the avalanche which serves as a momentum early in the story was inspired by a video Östlund found on YouTube, and a performance by a 12-year-old accordionist of Vivaldi's "Summer" was taken directly from a YouTube clip and played repeatedly throughout the film.

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Goofs

The family is skiing in the French Alps, but when Mats and Fanny are waiting for the elevator after their awkward evening with Tomas and Ebba, the directory beside the elevator is in Swedish.

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Quotes

Fanni: There's nothing in your head that you haven't said!

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Connections

Featured in The EE British Academy Film Awards (2016)

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Soundtracks

Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, 'L'estate' (Summer): 1. Allegro non molto
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Takako Nishizaki, Stephen Gunzenhauser and Capella Istropolitana

User Reviews

Force Majeure

Force Majeure is a paused and systematic character study principally integrated by bitter conversations, uncomfortable moments and the inclement dissection of a marriage in trouble, analyzing the sudden change a casual event (in this case, an avalanche) can provoke on something which seemed so strong and safe. The result is moderately interesting... and occasionally boring. There undoubtedly are provocative ideas in this film; but there's also some frustration due to its excessively slow rhythm and the obstinacy from some characters. Director and screenwriter Ruben Östlund must have been too proud of his work, so therefore, he didn't want to leave even one minute out of the long two hours this film lasts. On the positive side, the performances are excellent and the alpine settings are truly impressive (pity that we spend so much time inside the hotel). Force Majeure examines multiple aspects of a couple: as a husband and wife, as parents, and as compatible adults, even though they don't lack of some fundamental differences which might indicate a big separation in their personal ideology. As I said on the beginning of this commentary: moderately interesting content, but presented in a way which occasionally challenges the patience and attention from the audience. Force Majeure didn't leave me very satisfied, but I don't regret having watched it, and I think I can give it a slight recommendation.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [France]

Country:

Sweden France Norway Denmark

Language:

Swedish English French Norwegian

Release Date:

30 December 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Force Majeure

Filming Locations:

Les Arcs, Savoie, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,309, 26 October 2014

Gross USA:

$1,359,497

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,094,339

Company Credits

Production Co:

ARTE, BLS Business Location Südtirol-Alto Adige, Beofilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1