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Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Applaus


English title: Applause

Genre: psychological drama

With: Paprika Steen (Thea Barfoed), Michael Falch (Christian Barfoed), Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks (William Barfoed), Noel Koch-Søfeldt (Matthias Barfoed), Sara-Marie Maltha (Maiken), Lars Brygmann (George), Shanti Roney (Tom), Uffe Rørbæk Madsen (Peter)

Director: Martin Zandvliet

Screenplay: Anders Frithiof August and Martin Zandvliet

Release: 2009

Studio: Koncern TV-og Filmproduktion, New Danish Screen, Nordisk Film-& TV-Fond 

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.1/10

  

Bitterness on Stage, Struggles in Real Life    

 

QuickView

Story-line: APPLAUS begins with a scene from a stage play in which Martha, a hard-drinking woman, shows her love but also her captiousness toward her husband George. The film then focuses on Thea, the actress behind Martha, and her efforts to start anew after an addiction to alcohol and her failed marriage.

Pluses: first-rate acting by all, highlighted by Paprika Steen’s enormous screen presence and eloquent face, adept direction that faithfully tends to the drama, a serious, non-linear screenplay populated by likeable characters in dicey situations and featuring sometimes acerbic dialogues, crisp cinematography (especially close-ups), solid production values, an understated but helpful musical score and a suitably open ending.

Minuses: none I can think of.

Comments: as it alternates between snippets of Edward Albee’s Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and episodes from Thea’s life before, during and after rehab, the modest but interesting APPLAUS weaves a touching, very human story of people in flux. Thea is determined to do better but her progress is often slowed by her frustration and the tentativeness of people around her. Although I can’t give it more than an 8.1 rating, this European film – a fitting companion to DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES – is as worthy as any and a good bet for movie buffs who like their dramas grounded and thoughtful. When fences have been broken, mending them is hard to do.  

 

MBiS 

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