Movie Review - Druk

Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe, Maria Bonnevie, Helene Reingaard Neumann, Susse Wold, Magnus Sjørup, Silas Cornelius Van, Albert Rudbeck Lindhardt, Martin Greis-Rosenthal
 
Description: Four high school teachers consume alcohol on a daily basis to see how it affects their social and professional lives.

Review: History teacher Martin and his three colleagues are fed up with their standard operating procedures  and decide to test a peculiar theory. It seems that humans are born with 0,5 promille alcohol deficiency in their bodies. The foursome therefore decide to drink constantly during the day in order to maintain this alcohol level in their blood.   
History teacher Martin (Mads Mikkelsen) and his three colleagues are fed up with their standard operating procedure and decide to test a peculiar theory. It seems that humans are born with 0.5 promille alcohol deficiency in our bodies. The foursome therefore decide to drink constantly during the day in order to permanently maintain this alcohol level in their blood.
Danish director Thomas Vinterberg and actor Mads Mikkelsen previously came together to treat us with the gripping drama “Jagten”, a movie that left me speechless and became one of my all-time favorites. When such a good duo reunites for a new project, it’s only natural that my enthusiasm for it was high.
When you read the premise of the film you immediately understand that this can make for funny situations. From the start of the experiment, the superficial benefits of alcohol are immediate shown. Talking to other people more easily, getting an extra boost of self-confidence, appearing a lot looser and feeling more comfortable with who you are. It all starts so innocently and the friends are having fun with this experiment. Fortunately, the film is not an excuse to glorify alcohol, as the downside of excessive alcohol consumption is also highlighted. This execution makes “Druk” a real comedy/ drama – very well balanced.
Needless to say, the experiment has a major impact on the social and mental states of the four teachers. When their personal lives begin to suffer, the film treats this seriously and director Vinterberg trusts his top actors to convey this credibly. Strongly played by lead actor Mads Mikkelsen in particular. He silently became one of my favorite actors.
Vinterberg manages to ground his film with a dose of humanity and creates likeable characters, who, despite sometimes not making the wisest decisions, do have their hearts in the right place. Reflected in the smaller moments.  
“Druk” proves that an excess of alcohol can be devastating for anyone, but doesn’t shy away from also making a statement that treating yourself to a drink sometimes is part of the deal. This is underlined in the fantastic final scene.

Rating: 4,5/ 5