A Fortunate Man
A rebellious Danish engineer pursues a visionary canal project and an elite romance, only to find his pride threatening both triumphs.
Overview
A young man's ambition leads him to challenge tradition and pursue greatness, but pride may be his downfall.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- serious
- sweeping
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- literary film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a beautifully realized, sweeping literary drama elevated by exceptional performances and strong directorial craft.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Per pursues engineering recognition, social ascent, and romantic success, but his pride repeatedly undermines those goals.
Per’s canal project represents progressive engineering ideals opposed by his conservative religious upbringing and entrenched institutions.
Per’s relationship with Jakobe unfolds inside her wealthy Jewish family and against his devout Christian background.
The film contrasts Copenhagen’s wealthy milieu with western Denmark and Jutland through richly staged interiors and broad historical vistas.
Films like A Fortunate Man, and why
The Age of Innocence
ambitious literary period drama centered on class, faith, self-invention, and romantic conflict
The House of Mirth
sweeping nineteenth-century social drama combining romance, wealth, repression, and personal ambition
The Leopard
European literary adaptation about a driven outsider confronting social hierarchy and emotional consequences
Movie Details
- Director
- Bille August
- Release Date
- 2018-08-30
- Runtime
- 162 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (177)
Cast
- Esben Smed
- Katrine Greis-Rosenthal
- Benjamin Kitter
- Julie Christiansen
- Rasmus Bjerg
- Ole Lemmeke
- Sara Viktoria
- Sophie Marie Jeppesen
- Tommy Kenter
- Tammi Øst
Common questions
- What is A Fortunate Man about?
- A rebellious Danish engineer pursues a visionary canal project and an elite romance, only to find his pride threatening both triumphs.
- What is A Fortunate Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Fortunate Man as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Fortunate Man violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A Fortunate Man.
- What did critics think of A Fortunate Man?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a beautifully realized, sweeping literary drama elevated by exceptional performances and strong directorial craft.
- Which films are like A Fortunate Man?
- Films with a similar feel include The Age of Innocence, The House of Mirth, and The Leopard.
- How long is A Fortunate Man?
- A Fortunate Man runs 162 minutes.
