Force Majeure follows a Swedish family on their vacation to a skiing resort in the French Alps. Tomas and Ebba (Johannes Bah Kuhnke and Lisa Loven Kongsli), and their two young children Vera and Harry (Clara and Vincent Wettergren), are initially depicted as a practically perfect unit; until an incident shakes the integrity of their family to the core. While taking lunch on a restaurant balcony, a controlled explosion sets off a avalanche that hurtles towards them. Panic grips the crowd and many, including Tomas, flee. Ebba and the children are left behind, the avalance stopping just short and leaving them in a light dusting of snow. As it clears, Tomas returns and tries to laugh off the incident, but as the family ruminates on his actions initial shock gives way to disbelief and then anger. His denial of abandoning his family forces them all to reassess their perceptions of each other.
The title Force Majeure translates as “superior force,” an act of God. Some may take to mean the avalanche, which sets things in motion here, but really the focus is on man’s survival instinct — an overriding internal force. It is these innate reactions within, which we cannot control, that drive us to survive. We think we know we would choose the high road or would help someone in times of need, but the cold truth is that until we are confronted with a life or death situation, we don’t know how our priorities will change. Force Majeure throws a literally “picture perfect” family into a emotional maelstrom and then watches the cringing, darkly hilarious fallout.
The setting, a ski resort with its constant maintenance of the snow, is a perfect canvas for the film. On the surface it’s pristine and beautiful, but the reality is that there is an inherent instability and threat. The controlled explosions and accompanying warning sirens are an embodiment of the arrogance of man, that we can understand and control nature, be it the physical in the avalanches at the resort or the internal emotional conditioning and struggles we all face.
The premise alone is one that filled me with a gleeful expectation of black comedy; the reality is not something “laugh out loud,” but more a nervous release. The tension is palpable with the aftermath explored in quiet but simmering scenes, the film taking its time to let the resentment and friction eat away at the family. The warning horn sounded each evening to warn residents about controlled detonations comes across as a pressure valve release at the end of each exhausting emotional day dealing with the aftermath.
Tomas’ actions go against every idea of how a husband and father should be. His wife questions his commitment to the relationship and in turn begins to question her own. The children react to the abandonment and sense the animosity between their parents leaving them in a hostile mood, fearful for the future of their parents marriage. As the family works through the incident, other people and couples at the resort with their own approach to relationships serve as a mirror, making them reflect even further. In turn the tale sows seeds of doubt in the mind of many who hear it afterward.
Kuhnke and Kongsli are note perfect as the tortured pair, running a gamut of emotions after being exposed Their friend Mats (Kristofer Hivju, Game of Thrones) and his girlfriend Fanny (Fanni Metelius) become admirable audience surrogates, unwittingly drawn in to the dissection of the event and forced to ponder what their own reaction would be. Other hotel residents are swept up in the drama, and above it all is a silent janitor, watching; his behavior seems to imply this may not be the first time such a thing has happened.
It’s a gripping film with an incisive examination of perspective, priorities, and masculinity, as well as mortality. You may think you know what decision you would make given a split-second, but Force Majeure will ask: do you really know?
THE PACKAGEForce Majeure weaves a complex emotional narrative; it looks inward, but this doesn’t stop it from being beautiful visually. The Blu-ray shows off a fantastic transfer from the crisp, serene beauty of the French Alps to the luxuriously, finely detailed interiors of the lodge.
The film is complemented by a few extras, the main one being an interview with writer/director Ruben Östlund where he discusses the inspiration for the film, its themes, and the production process. Kuhnke (Tomas) also features, and he talks about the complexity and challenges of the film and his character as well as hinting at the toll the production took on him. An unsurprising reveal. There is also a AXS TV: A Look at Force Majeure, which mashes up parts of this interview with clips from the film as well as a theatrical trailer for Force Majeure as well as several other releases from Magnolia Home Entertainment. Personally, a commentary from the director and another featuring the husband and wife actors would have been most welcome.
THE BOTTOM LINEForce Majeure is a remarkable achievement, a film that makes you look inward as much as it does what’s onscreen. A cleverly constructed script that cranks up the tension and angst delivered by nuanced performances. A gripping voyeuristic insight into a family facing up to the truth of human nature. Uncomfortable but essential viewing.
Force Majeure is available now on Blu-ray.