It's All About Love (2003)

Director:

Thomas Vinterberg

Writers:

Mogens Rukov (writer)
Thomas Vinterberg (writer)

Release Date:

10 January 2003 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Romance | Sci-Fi

Plot:

It's All About Love is the story of two lovers and their attempts to save their relationship in a near-future world on the brink of cosmic collapse...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Plane | Ice Skating | Hotel | Snow

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix	...	John
Claire Danes	...	Elena
Sean Penn	...	Marciello
Douglas Henshall	...	Michael
Alun Armstrong	...	David
Margo Martindale	...	Betsy
Mark Strong	...	Arthur
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Mr. Morrison
Harry Ditson	...	George
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Night Porter
Teddy Kempner	...	Brooklyn Receptionist
Indra Ové	...	Production Assistant (as Indra Ove)
Georgi Staykov	...	Bookish Interpreter (as Giorgi Staykov)
Anna Wallander	...	Young Interpreter
Mariann Rudberg	...	Old Interpreter

MPAA:

Rated R for a scene of strong violence, some language and sexuality.

Runtime:

UK:104 min | Argentina:105 min

Country:

USA | Japan | Sweden | UK | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:M18 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

CoBo Fonds

Trivia:

Thomas Vinterberg took two and a half years to write the script.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When John and Elena are out in the cold and nearly freezing to death, their breath isn't visible, even though it is snowing.

Quotes:

John: There's a dead man in front of us.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in It's All About Love... og Thomas Vinterberg (2003) (TV)

Another great film from a great dane

Before I went to see this film, I had read a lot of reviews that said that it wasn't good; it lacked a properly fleshed-out story, it was too superficial. After I saw it, I could understand why the reviewers felt like this, but I wholeheartedly disagree with them. This film isn't supposed to be a credible social drama with a probable storyline and believable characters. The nature of this film is light, almost ethereal. From start to finish this is a fairytale, an intangible voyage through events and interactions with one overshadowing theme: It's all about love. I was reminded, when I saw this film, of the stories of Oscar Wilde, they too possess an immaterial, poignant view of the fleeting nature of love (or happiness for that matter). The air of the film is amplified immensely by the beautiful images and the hauntingly sweet music by Zbiegniew Preisner (who has composed the music for many of Kieslowskis films). Especially the huge panoramas in connections with the planes are some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen on film. The film's use of close-ups takes a little getting used to, but is very effective at communicating the characters' emotions. Among the actors, I was especially impressed by Sean Penn, who provides a sort of philosophical voice-over to the entire film. Also Joaquin Phoenix was a positive surprise, he was much more toned down than I have seen him before. The cast that make up the tiny community around the main character Elena is eminently selected, with a wide range of memorable characters. The actors are some of the best supporting actors around. Thomas Vinterberg has made a film that is decidedly different from "Festen", but in my opinion almost as good. I can't wait to see what his next project will be.