Force Majeure

Name: Force Majeure
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: October 24, 2014
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Clara Wettergren, Johannes Kuhnke, Kristofer Hivju, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Vincent Wettergren

2014

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 136 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 136 Ratings

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Force Majeure

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: October 24, 2014 | R

Starring: Clara Wettergren, Johannes Kuhnke, Kristofer Hivju, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Vincent Wettergren

Summary: A Swedish family travels to the French Alps to enjoy a few days of skiing and spend some precious time with each other. The sun is shining and the slopes are spectacular but, during a lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche turns everything upside down. With diners fleeing in all directions, mother Ebba calls for her husband TomasA Swedish family travels to the French Alps to enjoy a few days of skiing and spend some precious time with each other. The sun is shining and the slopes are spectacular but, during a lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche turns everything upside down. With diners fleeing in all directions, mother Ebba calls for her husband Tomas as she tries to protect their children. Tomas, meanwhile, is running for his life. Reality returns to embarrassed laughter, the anticipated disaster having failed to occur, and yet the family's world has been shaken to its core, a question mark hanging over their father in particular. Tomas and Ebba's marriage now hangs in the balance as Tomas struggles desperately to reclaim his role as family patriarch.… Expand

Director: Ruben Östlund

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Dana Stevens

Dec 15, 2014

As the couple’s widening rift exposes the gender and class assumptions that underlie their marriage... Force Majeure morphs into a biting critique of modern masculinity, of traditional parenting roles, and possibly of the institution of marriage itself. Read full review

100

Stephen Holden

Oct 23, 2014

This brilliant, viciously amusing takedown of bourgeois complacency, gender stereotypes and assumptions and the illusion of security rubs your face in human frailty as relentlessly as any Michael Haneke movie. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Oct 22, 2014

It's the rare kind of moviegoing experience that will haunt you long after you leave the theater and lead to some very awkward conversations with your spouse. Read full review

Abhimanyu Das

Oct 20, 2014

It comes down on the essential hollowness of traditional gender roles like the avalanche that proves to be its inciting event. Read full review

Empire David Hughes

Apr 6, 2015

A brittle black comedy that has plenty to say about modern manhood and the human survival instinct. Read full review

Ben Nicholson

Oct 21, 2014

Force Majeure is a gripping and deftly observed drama that adds caustic condemnation through its embracing of humour. Read full review

Mike Scott

Jan 30, 2015

What we get is a an intriguing relationship drama, one that is at times darkly funny, at others thought-provoking, but mostly piano-wire tense. Read full review

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User Reviews

jeanrenoir13

Nov 26, 2014

Another genius sign of the brilliant zeitgeist in cinema internationally in 2014, when the best films have never been smarter. Though wildly different in so many ways, this film reminded me of the tour de force genius of Birdman. Both films are so smart, both films are made withAnother genius sign of the brilliant zeitgeist in cinema internationally in 2014, when the best films have never been smarter. Though wildly different in so many ways, this film reminded me of the tour de force genius of Birdman. Both films are so smart, both films are made with unbelievable precision in every aspect of their craft, both are gorgeous, both come very close to tragedy, and both films pull back from the edge, because going over would be a dumb cliche both films are too starkly smart, honest, and realistic about life to entertain.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

smartmart

Sep 18, 2015

A constantly engaging art house film from Sweden, a country which has brought us plenty of great films in the past, most notably the films of Ingmar Bergman ("The Seventh Seal", "Wild Strawberries"). This film is a bit funnier than you'd expect, mixing some subtle, darkly comedic momentsA constantly engaging art house film from Sweden, a country which has brought us plenty of great films in the past, most notably the films of Ingmar Bergman ("The Seventh Seal", "Wild Strawberries"). This film is a bit funnier than you'd expect, mixing some subtle, darkly comedic moments with a lot of very dramatic stuff.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LowbrowCinema

Dec 27, 2014

Wow! FORCE MAJEURE is a total stunner that sneaks up on you. What starts off as a ski resort family vacation turns from a serious meditation on family and relationships to a blindingly brilliant and wicked comedy. The film is totally fresh and maniacally modern. So rare to see a film thatWow! FORCE MAJEURE is a total stunner that sneaks up on you. What starts off as a ski resort family vacation turns from a serious meditation on family and relationships to a blindingly brilliant and wicked comedy. The film is totally fresh and maniacally modern. So rare to see a film that feels like today and captures the complexity of modern relationships. FORCE MAJEURE is the kind of film that requires interpretation so see it with one or more friends, or a spouse. You won't stop talking for hours! A true wonder.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

DirigiblePulp

Feb 1, 2017

I was on board with this for the most part. Its central premise is ripe and provides some fascinating digressions, dialogue and character moments -- languid pace and random scenes aside (what was that drone scene about besides being a pretty shot?)

However, the two endings resolution didn'tI was on board with this for the most part. Its central premise is ripe and provides some fascinating digressions, dialogue and character moments -- languid pace and random scenes aside (what was that drone scene about besides being a pretty shot?)

However, the two endings resolution didn't work for me. I don't know what to make of the second one and the first one is almost like a shrug, a sly wink.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

historyman1969

Nov 1, 2014

Examination of gender and class roles is stunningly photographed -- the cinematography of the French Alps is breathtaking -- but the characters and story eventually becomes boring and uninvolving, and the movie makes several illogical leaps in the final stages, along with a few too many endings.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Katahdin1

Dec 4, 2014

This movie did not work for me. Shallow, uninteresting characters have a crisis and transform into shallow, uninteresting characters who whine a lot. The plot is contrived and manipulative. On the plus side, the acting is good and the scenery is spectacular.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

ManiacUK

Jan 9, 2016

There's an avalanche. Nobody gets hurt. Nothing happens for the following 2 hours. The end. Save yourself some time because you aren't missing anything.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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19	#19 Best Movie of 2014
98	#98 Most Shared Movie of 2014