Review of The Bench

Three men, a poor man, a rich man and an anything but average man, are in abominable situations, all of their own choosing, and they have to struggle to create something good out of it, no matter how insignificant and unimportant that good may seem to others. Per Fly's Danish Trilogy, begins here, with Baenken, and I found Christensen's poor alcoholic utterly convincing. Didn't recognize him. Felt every rasping draw of the astringent cigarette smoke, the throat retching gulp of every mouthful of borrowed beer and stolen liquor. His failed attempt to reestablish a relationship with his daughter, soul crushing. His battle to the death to do something, anything to redeem himself, incredibly moving, heroic. His masterful performance to some extent, overshadows the plot, the whole film. Followed by Arven, and Drapet to complete the trilogy.