"Your father was a pain in the arse. But you know what? I think you have beaten him" (Herb's mother issues the ultimate put-down).
Submission : Director & Actors Award, (Adrian Shergold and Raif Spall) Calgary Film Festival 2019.
This is a serious film. It is promoted as a comedy in the hope viewers will be attracted to one of the world's leading streaming networks (Amazon Prime). It is however, a film with light moments. The theme of male depression is in focus here. A subject matter to be taken very seriously.
I suppose THE FULL MONTY issued a similar warning, but the joy of MONTY was the fun (stripping) a bunch of depressed blokes had (audiences included) in overcoming their adversity (unemployment).
ONE WAY TO DENMARK has Herb (Raif Spall) depressed for multiple reasons, unemployment included. So when he hears about its progressive prison system, the idea of emigrating to Denmark is very appealing to Herb. As he sees it, he could commit a crime, get caught and spend time in their prison system. There, he would live in a comfortable room with a flat screen T.V. and be able to shower in warm water. He would also be given work with a purpose. His village life in Wales is dank and without prospects. Relocation a great distance from his "glass half empty mother" would be an added bonus.
ONE WAY TO DENMARK is original and is carried by Spall. We know his future is never going to play out as he's imagined it, but his adventure will take his mind and heart to other places. We want him to have a better life. By film's end he will have some choices. A small diamond in the rough is the best way to describe this little gem - but it is no comedy! 9GUMS.
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