Adam's Apples - 2005

Movie #140
4.5 stars

Utopian clergyman Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen) finds his starry-eyed outlook challenged by neo-Nazi Adam Pedersen (Ulrich Thomsen) in this black comedy from director Anders Thomas Jensen. Just out of prison and ordered to perform community service at Ivan's rural church, the sullen Adam is tasked with tending the chapel's beloved apple tree. But he's determined to undercut Ivan's rosy worldview … which proves harder than Adam ever imagined.

Cast: Ulrich Thomsen, Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Kaas, Paprika Steen, Gyrd Lofqvist, Ali Kazim, Ole Thestrup

Director: Anders Thomas Jensen

Filming Location: Faaborg, Denmark

This movie is truly one of a kind! Have you even watched a movie where the character you identify with the most is a neo-nazi? Yeah...I didn't think so. The script was awesome...the actors were awesome...the film was just excellent.

Mads Mikkelsen has once again impressed me. His character is pivotal to the success of the film. He plays Ivan, a clergyman that looks at life in a totally different way than most people. Adam, a neo-nazi, is sent to the church to serve his community service. At first Ivan is portrayed as just a very good natured man, telling Adam that he doesn't see a neo-nazi when he looks at him. Ivan also explains that evil doesn't really exist, that people are just looking for it in others. So Ivan asks Adam what his goal is going to be while he is staying there. Adam sarcastically replies that he wants to bake an apple pie. Instead of responding to sarcasm with sarcasm, Ivan simple says, ok, you will take care of the apple tree until August 1 and then you will bake us all a big apple pie.

After this point...the viewer starts to realize that Ivan may be a little...well...nuts. Ivan's positive outlook towards life becomes almost ridiculous and Adam repeatedly tries to get under his skin. Ivan either brushes it off and pretends it doesn't happen or he simply says that he is being rude.

Under these crazy circumstances there is a real point to this film --> life may throw you the biggest curve balls but as long as you think positive, good things will come.

Overall Recommendation: This dark comedy is AMAZING! watch it :)

Favorite line: If we all listened to reason, the world would be a gloomy place. You need to follow your heart