Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

In a Better World Blu-ray Movie Review

A superior film about dealing with life.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 2, 2011

Sometimes it's like there's a veil between you and death. And that veil is pulled away when you lose someone near and dear to you. And then you see death ever so clearly for a brief instant. And then the veil drops back into place. And then you move on. And things get better.

Whether in the famine-ridden Sudan or the idyllic comfort of a middle-class Swedish neighborhood, life shares one thing in common: ever-present violence. It's everywhere, to varying degrees, of course, but an inescapable truth of life nonetheless, one that manifests itself in many forms. The brute-force physical violence of Africa and the schoolyard bullying of Sweden alike both leave scars, the former usually more evident -- and more immediately horrific -- on the outside, the latter taking its toll on the inside, until the rage bubbles over into a physical response. In a Better World contrasts these two forms of violence, and it's a startling juxtaposition. What breeds the violence, and perhaps more important, what's the proper response? With the deadly weapons and the advanced medicine of the 21st century, is it satisfactory to retaliate as in "an eye for an eye" or are there more "diplomatic" resolutions at hand? Does violence understand any response other than equal or greater violence? In a Better World features four primary acts of violence. In the more obviously brutal Africa, it's met with sternness; in Sweden, it's met with violence twice and a "turn the other cheek" gesture of goodwill and strength once. Some of these resolutions yield the desired effect -- an end of violence -- and some don't. Violence is a two-way street that must be traveled but cannot be ignored. It's how one deals with violence that defines mankind, but as this film points out, sometimes there are no right or wrong answers in handling it, only lessons learned along the road to becoming a better person.

How will the boys take Anton's message?

Swedish doctor Anton (Mikael Persbrandt) often travels to Sudan to treat wounded villagers attacked by a local ruthless warlord. Meanwhile, back home, his marriage with wife Marianne (Trine Dyrholm) is on the brink, and the future of their two sons -- including young Elias (Markus Rygaard) -- is in question. Elias is bullied at school for the appearance of his teeth. He's verbally abused, and the air is released from his bicycle tires on a regular basis. Enter Christian (William Jøhnk Nielsen), a young boy who's moved around his entire life and whose mother has recently lost her battle with cancer. He's also Elias's new classmate. The two become immediate friends, and Christian experiences the bullying Elias faces firsthand. It doesn't take Christian long to take matters into his own hands; he severely beats his friend's tormentor and, ultimately, is not punished for his actions. How will this successful use of violence to stop violence shape the boys's future reactions towards the violent tendencies of others?

What does In a Better World say about people, violence, and the world in which both exist? In the film, there are three bullies: an African man who slaughters women, a young Swedish boy who harasses his classmates, and an auto mechanic with a short fuse who picks a fight with Anton with no true provocation. Both the African and the boy meet physical hardships -- the African warlord is severely wounded, and the bully is harshly beaten -- while the mechanic dismisses the "passive resistance" Anton attempts to demonstrate to his two sons and to Christian. When Christian and Elias violently beat the bully at school, they are met with little reprimand. Their act of violence -- committed as a form of self-desense rather than unnecessary outright harassment -- earns them the desired effect. The violence comes to an end, and school authorities, the police, and their parents alike let them off with not so much as a reprimand. They learn that violence as a means of combating violence works -- or does it? In their dealings with the auto mechanic, they see Anton stand his ground but take the verbal and physical abuse without stooping to the mechanic's level. The boys choose to retaliate as they know how against this new "foe" -- through further violence -- but the end result won't be so easy and as-planned as it was in school. In Africa, Anton's compassion towards a known criminal -- by the far the worst person in the movie -- saves the man from losing a grossly infected leg, but Anton's kindness isn't necessarily shared by those whom he has come to call "friends," his otherwise peaceful and caring patients.

Ultimately, the message of In a Better World seems to be one of superficial complexity and deeper purpose alike. Life is a series of incidents. No two are ever completely alike -- not the location, the people involved, the purpose behind the action -- and therefore past experience isn't necessarily the greatest asset in resolving each new problem. Is the answer, then, violence avoidance? If it cannot always be resolved with the same set of learned skills, then perhaps learning not to become engaged with it is the smartest course of action. Unfortunately, life isn't -- and cannot truly be - - lived in a bubble. The simple act of living, of there being something someone else deems unworthy of one's presence -- attitude; skin color; a physical defect; or any number of things that make people unique to most, targets for a few -- is sometimes enough to incite trouble. Sometimes there's no provocation at all; a short temper, a bad day, any number of things can trigger a violent episode. It's unavoidable, a fact of life that may be the most disappointing of all but a truth that perhaps more than any other can forever change a life in the blink of an eye. Sadly, there is no real answer, except, maybe, keep learning, keep that head up, and walk away when possible, but keep that "eye for an eye" card in the back pocket for a rainy day with no umbrella on hand.

In a Better World is also a smartly-crafted picture that succeeds in large part thanks to the way Director Susanne Bier creates a deliberate but intoxicating flow for the picture along with her ability to guide her actors into superior performances. Never does In a Better World really feel scripted or forced; there's a wonderful natural vibe that runs through the picture, with the performances of the lead cast elevated to a mesmerizing level of perfection that sees the characters easily developed but at the same time complexly drawn. The film is one of many layers, and the actors manage to engage them all in some form or another simply by living through the story and dealing with the traumas, actions, and consequences that develop over the course of the picture. The pacing is neither too fast nor too slow; the film draws in its audience despite its thematic complexity and no real "answer" to the question it poses. For a film of such difficult material, it's incredibly easy to consume and effortlessly thought provoking to a degree only few films achieve.

In a Better World Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The digitally-shot In a Better World sparkles on Blu-ray. This is another in the ever-growing list of first-rate 1080p transfers from Sony, and while it features that same sort of inorganic texture that's inherent to HD movies, the image is nevertheless spectacular within its own parameters. Digital has come a long way in just the last few years, and one glimpse at In a Better World on Blu-ray shows why. Though a hair flat, the image is slick, clean, and incredibly sharp. Fine detail is nothing short of astounding, evident on everything from the slightest stitching on surgical masks to the lifelike texture of the sandy Sudanese desert floor. Colors are equally meticulous and lifelike; even in the dusty African landscape dominated by brownish earth shades, the colorful garb of the local population pops right out of the screen. It's an eye-catching palette to be sure, and it carries over the greener but sometimes also grayer Swedish landscape. Black levels are pristine -- wonderfully dark but free of debilitating crush -- and flesh tones are accurate if not just a hair on the warm side. Aside from a trace amount of banding, there are no other major concerns to note. This is a world-class transfer from Sony.

In a Better World Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

In a Better World features the Sony-standard DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. While not exactly a high-powered sonic extravaganza, the track is nevertheless as expected: abundantly clear and richly satisfying. Music is precise and so accurate that the speakers seem to vanish in favor of a highly realistic aural sensation. The surround speakers carry a light load in support of the primary music, but the balance is seamless and the presentation is marvelous. The back channels -- and the fronts, for that matter -- carry a marvelous assortment of ambient sounds. When the boys sit atop a silo in chapter six, the sounds of gusting winds, a clanking flagpole, and the din coming from below perfectly set the stage and place the listener right there with the characters. Heavier atmospherics are seamless, too; a scene inside a car features the low-powered rumble of the engine infiltrating the soundstage, not to mention the little clanks and shifting pieces that flop around during the drive. An explosion marking the transition from the second to third act isn't excessively heavy, but it's strong enough to get the job done. Completed by center-focused dialogue, In a Better World's lossless soundtrack is a runaway success.

In a Better World Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film deserves more extras, but this Blu-ray release of In a Better World is rather sparse. Highlights include an audio commentary track and deleted scenes.

• Audio Commentary: Director Susanne Bier and Editor Pernille Bech Christensen deliver a fairly standard commentary. They discuss shooting locations, the picture's story, its themes, the picture's structure and changes made from script to shoot, casting and the work of the actors, and plenty more. It's a decent enough commentary; it doesn't stand apart from the crowd, but fans of the film will find it rewarding enough to warrant a listen.
• Interview with Director Susanne Bier (480p, 15:53): Bier answers a series of questions about the film.
• Deleted Scenes (480p, 13:40): Principle Angry, Swimming, Theme Fest, Arrival at the House of Skanderi, Pa Restaurant, Sex Scene, and Racing Final.
• In a Better World Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:02).
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.
• BD-Live.
• DVD Copy.

In a Better World Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In a Better World is a wonderful motion picture in every facet. Its story is challenging but accessible. The themes are relevant and thought provoking. The acting is faultless and the direction is strong. Despite its rating, In a Better World isn't a bad movie to screen for younger -- but nevertheless mature -- audiences as a means of showing them that life isn't simply black and white but instead a vast and foggy sea of uncertainty. There are often no right or wrong answers, but as Shakespeare once wrote, "to thine own self be true." That's a start. Sony's Blu-ray release of In a Better World features terrific technical specs but fails to offer a thorough supplemental package. Nevertheless, this release comes strongly recommended.