Adams æbler

Plot synopsis:
Neo-Nazi gang leader Adam (Ulrich Thomsen) is granted parole from prison for participating in a rehabilitation program, where he joins the aggressive Saudi gas station robber Khalid (Ali Kazim) and the kleptomanic rapist Gunnar (Nicolas Bro). The community is headed by the priest Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen), who believes firmly and blindly in the goodness of man, and is seemingly oblivious to the ongoing misconduct and aggression of his charges.
Ivan tells Adam to choose a goal for himself to complete his rehabilitation. Trying to mock the priest, Adam chooses the goal of baking an apple pie. Ivan accepts, but stipulates that making the pie includes grooming and harvesting the churchyard apple tree. Adam is loath to complete his task, especially because at first crows attack the apples, and later most of those that remain are eaten by worms. The misanthropic Nazi is especially irritated by Ivan's joyful manner, excessive optimism and extreme forgiveness, and he sets it as his personal goal to break the priest's spirit and crush his faith.
Adam discovers that Ivan's life has been very difficult. Growing up as a victim of child abuse, he has terminal brain cancer, and is the widowed father of a severely disabled child. The cynical village doctor theorizes that Ivan discounts reality and sees all problems as tests from the devil, because his real life would be otherwise nearly impossible to bear. Adam psychologically attacks the priest by quoting the Book of Job, reasoning that it is God who hates the priest, not the devil. Ivan finally breaks down and renounces his faith.
Adam is gleeful at first, but soon realizes that without Ivan's influence, Khalid and Gunnar revert quickly to their criminal habits, and starts realizing the positive impact the priest had made. When several members of Adam's neo-Nazi gang visit the church and confront Khalid for earlier having shot two of their members, Ivan comes out of the church and demands to be allowed to die in peace. A scuffle ensues and the leader of the neo-Nazis accidentally shoots the priest in the eye.
At the hospital, the doctor predicts Ivan will be dead by morning. Suddenly guilt-stricken, Adam stays up all night baking a tiny, one-apple pie for Ivan, using the single apple surviving the sequential mishaps that happened to the apple-tree throughout the film. When he arrives at the hospital, he finds that Ivan's bed is empty. He goes to find Ivan's doctor, who tells him that the priest is in the garden - the bullet that hit him has neatly removed the tumour that plagued him.
In an epilogue, Adam remains at the church as an assistant to Ivan, and Ivan and Adam welcome two similarly troubled men recently released from prison.

Tags: comedy, psychological, murder, allegory, violence, thought-provoking, cute, good versus evil, psychedelic, romantic

Review:
Anders Thomas Jensen has with his earlier films, "De grønne slagtere" and "Blinkende lygter", convinced the audience of his scriptwriting talents, especially his distinct sense of dark humour.
Indeed, the film's central theme questions our central notion of good and evil without giving definite conclusions: whether there really exist absolute values is eventually left unanswered.
Jensen attempts to twist the basic setting by making Ivan appear rather unsympathetic: while he helps people as a priest, he doesn't seem to do it because of them but rather because of his faith alone.
It is often Adam, who notices this, not failing to observe (almost objecting to) the weaknesses of Ivan's behaviour, and yes, it is the cold-hearted, evil Adam who seems to care more and more as the story goes on.It is difficult to sum up the whole film with only a couple of words.
Mixing biblical allegories, especially the story of Job (the Fall being also an essential part of the film, yet not actually in the plot itself), with modern drama and dark comedy, Adams æbler does not fit into traditional categories.
Ulrich Thomsen gives perhaps his best performance to date as Adam (challenged only by his role in Festen), and so does Mads Mikkelsen as Ivan.
As in his earlier films and as many of his Danish colleagues have been doing, Jensen is examining the limits of comedy  how far can one go in making fun of sensitive matters such as abuse, rape, violence, racism, disability and so on.
Ivan preaches about the distinction between good and evil, pointing out how much the modern world is in confusion with these terms and how much our common conceptions have changed with time.
On the other hand, by making Ivan absolutely blind to misfortunes in his life, it illustrates how it is possible to see good in everything, and close ones eyes from everything bad.Adams æbler is a very interesting movie.
This was a wonderful surprise at the (Cleveland) CIFF, a well-made dark comedy.Adam is a neo-Nazi on a sort of Danish "probation for reprobates", where society's sinners are given a gradual re-introduction to public life under the guidance of Ivan, a parish minister.
Adam needs to negotiate a "program" for his several weeks stay; despite his efforts at being arch and cynical Ivan takes him totally in seriousness, setting "baking an apple pie" as Adam's goal.
A battle of wills ensues between Adam and Ivan, with wonderful comedic support from Gunnar (Nicolas Bro in another wonderful role) the ex-tennis player and Khalid (Ali Kazim) as a not-yet-reformed terrorist.Everyone is coping here, but the central character is clearly Ivan (perhaps the funniest I've seen Mads Mikkelsen!).
This rational irrationality is perhaps the greatest challenge to Adam; no matter what he does Ivan retains his faithto a point where the comedy simply takes another course.Not to give away the delight of this comedy's surprises, the characters cope with life, each other, are exasperated and exasperating, consistently inconsistentthe trials of Job are well played out in this barely disguised absurdist romp..
First, I'd like to say that Danish humor is rarely completely understood and some scenes of this movie made me feel somewhat bad.
I noticed that me and almost the whole audience laughed more during this film than anyone has laughed while watching Mr. Beans whole production.If you aren't too sensitive to black humor, I strongly recommend you to watch Adam's Apples.
Adam's Apples also comments strongly modern society's hectic pace of living.Watch this film.
And then, there's Adam's Apples.If you want to watch a movie that takes some of the most depressing, horrible things you can think of, and makes them absolutely hilarious, this is the movie for you.I won't spoil much of the story, as watching what unexpectedly happens throughout is one of the pleasures of the movie.
It begins with a priest named Ivan driving an unrepentant neo-Nazi named Adam from prison to the church where he will be performing his community service.
I recommend Adam's Apples to people with a dark sense of humor, who are fine with laughing at incredibly inappropriate (yet incredibly amusing) things.
With "Adams Æbler", Anders Thomas Jensen has made his, of my opinion, best movie yet.
His Last two movies, especially the first one, "Blinkende luger", was very entertaining, but this one moves beyond.With his brilliant authenticity in the character of the troubled reverend, Mads Mikkelsen ("pusher", "bleeder", "blinkende luger", "de grønne slagtere") rises up from just being a good bi-actor, to becoming a complete artist of performance.
Together with Ulrich Thomsen who plays the Nazi on re-socialization, he carries the viewers through a fresh, shocking, dark, utterly intelligent, and exceptionally both humorous and psychological experience.Being more than rich on nerve-shattering imagery, great performances, and a very well crafted story, this film also leads a sharp edged, underlying parallel to an ancient story that comes to life in the film, and ends in a brilliant paradoxical way.
I laughed, almost cried, was chocked, laughed again and got some new tools to handle life with =) It is what I would call a black comedy in the same way as Blinkande Lyktor or Old men in new cars, both of them great danish movies.
Anders Thomas Jensen may be the most interesting danish director/scriptwriter in recent times, and this movie certainly proves it.
The neo-nazi Adam (Ulrich Thomsen) is sent to resocialization at a local church with a priest who can't do anything but turn the other cheek.
In a religious context he relive the life and destiny of Job who's punished by God. This could very well have been an abstract and far-our movie, however Thomas Jensen has the ability to make it understandable, humorous and very entertaining, while keeping the love and respect of the religious story.
Following the success of Blinkende Lygter and the not-so-great De Grønne Slagtere, Thomas Jensen places this story in between, by providing a black comedy with a great mind..
Awkwardly, even though it forced me to acknowledge that my personality has an intently merciless side which I didn't know existed (meaning laughing at things you are not supposed to laugh at) I found the dark humour and absurdity of the film thoroughly refreshing.Every little scene, every conversation, every piece of music in this comedy-ish danish drama is spot on.
But we soon wonder if the pastor, or perhaps his few parishioners, are in more trouble than the prisoners are.The film is brilliantly inspired in concept and story, playing out like a fable.
Anders Thomas Jensen has refined his talent through his films, and with Adams Apples it is shining!
I have never come along any comparable story and this is not the only aspect making Adams Apples my personal favorite of all time.
You get a little piece of everyone's background-story so you cannot help but feel like knowing the people for a long time and so, you perfectly sympathize their changings.
I had no expectations going in to it, other than the fact that I really love Danish films and the actor Mads Mikkelsen.
I had no expectations going in to it, other than the fact that I really love Danish films and the actor Mads Mikkelsen.
The acting from all of the actor's is superb!You go out of the movie theater with a smile on you face at the same time you find yourself reflecting on some of the key questions on life itself..Go out and watch it as soon as possible!.
The acting from all of the actor's is superb!You go out of the movie theater with a smile on you face at the same time you find yourself reflecting on some of the key questions on life itself..Go out and watch it as soon as possible!.
"Adam's Apples" is one of the strangest movies I've ever seen--so strange that I am not even sure if I liked it or not!
It certainly IS a one-of-a-kind viewing experience!!When the film begins, Adam (Ulrich Thomsen) is being paroled to the custody of a very strange priest, Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen).
Despite Adam being a thoroughly unrepentant neo-Nazi, Ivan seems oblivious to the evil man who he's agreed to care for...as well as two other rather screwed up criminals he's already caring for at his church.
Through the course of the film, Adam is amazed that Ivan has the most horrible life on Earth...yet he is bizarrely optimistic and happy.
And, what does making an apple pie have to do with all this?!Technically speaking, the film is well made and the acting good.
Mix a Neo Nazi in "recovery", a country priest fighting Satan, a religious terrorist out his country of approved homophobic origins, an obese recovering alcoholic, a medical doctor all snarky science and bellicose cruelty, and a pregnant woman who may be giving birth to a genetically "problematic" child and what do you get: ADAMS APPLES.
Every single person in the film is confronting a force field of GOOD vs EVIL from their own point of view, as black comedy.
But the biggest surprise of the whole story, amongst many, is that Adam, the Neo Nazi, begins to look like the most sane person in the group.
The premise of this movie seemed simple enough, about Neo Nazi called Adam (Ulrich Thomsen) being sentenced to community service at a church.
A priest, Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen), informs Adam that in order to complete his hours of service, he must have a goal in mind.
And that goal actually turned out unexpectedly, as a passing remark, to be as banal as baking an apple pie, with apples found in the apple tree grown on the church's premises.Written and directed by Danish filmmaker Anders Thomas Jensen, Adam's Apples is a black comedy about God and the mysterious ways in which He works.
All these clue Adam that perhaps he wasn't meant to finish serving his time as soon as possible, but rather has to find meaning in the extended period of time of him being at the church.The story actually got more interesting when the audience is introduced to the host of quirky characters who seek refuge at the grounds, such as Khalid (Ali Kazim) the Pakistani with a thing for robbing petrol kiosks, and Gunnar (Nicolas Bro), the fat kleptomaniac.
Certain (violent) scenes stood out and made you think about how those shots were actually achieved.Watching the movie actually made me wonder about the existence of an omnipotent being, and actually had this uncanny feel good factor about it at the end.
A movie about two ways of looking on life: positive and negative, this is one part what Adams æbler is talking about.
I do not recommend to watch it if you are in a bad mood, but if you want to have a good theme for thinking, then Adams æbler is the right movie for you..
I guess there is a serious point being made about truth and delusion (rather than good and evil) though the director, who spoke after the film, seemed happy that we had mostly taken it as comedy.
But if you enjoyed "After the Wedding" and enjoyed Mads Mikkelsen's performance just as much as I did, Adam's Apples is a movie you must watch.
This might sound like a stupid idea, and I've seen films that screw it up, but Adam's Apples pulls it off.
Although it's underlying themes are biblical, there are actually a lot of biblical undertones, the film doesn't force you to have any kind of religion; you can watch the movie just for the sake of the humour, skillful direction, acting, writing and emotional depth.
1st watched 5/28/2009 – 8 out of 10 (Dir- Anders Thomas Jensen): Wonderful story about a tough ex-prisoner who takes up occupancy at an urban church(probably thru some government program) that is led by a man who appears to be on the up-and-up at first.
This is a rare find of a movie and should be watched and enjoyed by anyone interested in good character development and stories..
It seems Anders Thomas Jensen has now made the same movie three times.
Even Mads Mikkelsen repeats his role from Anders Thomas Jensens last film "The Green Butchers", actually repeating the same lines and acting out the same character - only now with a beard.
I however take off my hat for Ulrich Thomsen who makes this movie a 6 instead of a 5 or 4 as intended, THIS guy is great, and he is not one of those who keeps repeating himself.Sure there are fun moments, and a lot of them, I laughed admittingly, but the jokes falls flat as soon as you realize that handicapped and mentally retarded children are actually not very funny stuff.
Well, the director and screenwriter Anders Thomas Jensen is famous for strange films and Adams æbler is definitely shining in this row.But the strongest part of the film is the cast, it includes so many contemporary Danish character actors: Ulrich Thomsen, Mads Mikkelsen, Nicolas Bro, Paprika Steen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas...
Danish movie Adam's Apples gain your attention from the first minutes of watching it.
Written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen Adam's Apples characters have no moral values, illustrating capital vices.
If you're looking for a non-Hollywood well-done drama and you don't mind Nordic, clever, dark humour Adam's Apples is the movie you need to watch..
Another movie written by Anders Thomas Jensen and this time he's also a director.
Like in most of his previous movies, he's assembling Danish best acting trio Mikkelsen, Thomsen and Lie Kaas(a minor role).A comedy that will make you laugh for 90 min and you could easily watch this movie 10 times and laugh at every scene over and over.
Nicolas Bro and Ali Kazim fit into very good and helped this movie to be one of the best if not the best Danish comedy..
And by the variety of themes he touched.In the present movie (which he also directed) he shows the world what a creative author can do with a handful of actors, one church, one hospital and a couple of carsThe film is original, catching and endearing.
Mads Mikkelsen is even playing the same part as he did in the previous movie (not the SAME part, but the characters speak and behave the same way), he almost uses the same lines.
This means that the story gets thinner and thinner until the great points that he could make in a movie with this theme (good vs.
Director and Writer Anders Thomas Jensen introduces us to a small-town Drama with lots of darkest comedy and great character actors like Mads Mikkelsen, Ulrich Thomsen and Ole Thestrup.
Danish black humour takes both a more sinister and thought-provoking turn with Jensen's mature directorial opus, Adam's Apples.Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen) is a village priest with an unquenchably tolerant and forgiving attitude.
Is Adam the devil tempting Ivan, or just a realist trying to get him to admit his hypocrisy?Adam's Apples boasts good production values and excellent acting.
Inspired by the Book of Job, this movie is set in a rural church with Ivan, the church's vicar, and Adam, a neo-Nazi on social service, as protagonists.
In and around this church, Anders Thomas Jensens unleashes an outright war of good and evil in a story full of black humor that leaves the viewer little choice but to laugh tears.
This story is told with perfect timing and moving gravity realised by great actors.Despite all praise, I have one problem with this movie: I did not get the pun about the "Adam's Apple".
We all know that a good sense of humor leads to a happier life, and, based upon Adam's Apples and other films I have seen from Denmark, the Danes surely lead the way in exhibiting a sardonic, biting humor that is often very dark but not the least bit destructive.This little film draws much of its inspiration from the Book of Job and places it in a modern context with a witty touch of dark, dark humor.
Adam is a neo-Nazi who has been released from prison to enter a work program run by Ivan, a country minister.
Mads Mikkelsen as Ivan has the looks that fulfilled the idea of a Danish minister and an off-the-cuff manner in his portrayal that is absorbing.Even with its dark comic nature, Adam's Apples is also a fascinating drama and an enlightening look at good, evil, and the power of faith..
On the surface it's just a truly insane circus of actions and characters how you won't find them again so easily.All actors are believable and do a great job, above all of course Ulrich Thomsen and Mads Mikkelsen.
The weirdness and the obscure acting is just outstanding - The 2 new actors Ali Kazim and Nicolas Bro does the job well..And who would have thought, that mixing comedy and religion could be that great - Anders Thomas Jensen you have done a fine piece of work.In this movie you will also see some special effects, and it's done perfect - as you can hear, i am devoted to this movie - and I know I can't wait until it's out on DVD, I just have to see it one more time - I have even seen the trailer several times, just to be reminded of some of the funny scenes..
Adam Appel is one the most beautiful movies which could make me laughing and at the same time sorrow.
Danish Job. It's a comedy, so needless to say, despite the presence of a minister amongst this motley group of misfits that live together at a church, the neo-Nazi is the sane one, the least likely to shoot a cat out of a tree.
Adam's Apples is an unusual film in that you instantly dislike all the characters.