Original subtitles

- You know how it works, right? - Yes. Shit, I'm sorry.

If you had to point to one thing that prompted your illness, -

- what would it be?

PSYCHIATRIC WARD

I was ... just sad.

I was much too sad at that time.

How did it manifest itself?

I ...

I ...

Hi.

That's mine.

Will you come to me, afterwards?

She's my wife. I have to give her a chance to come home.

Yes.

Mads was away on a business trip and I was at home with the boys.

And ... they were in the garden.

They were always in the garden and I was in here.

And I had a few drinks.

Then I left ... And I forgot them in the garden.

That's when Mads found out, I think.

And I was sent away. Which was a good thing.

- What did you do? - I got something at Aunt Charlotte's.

- I think Aunt Charlotte's nice. - So do l.

Yes, she's nice.

- Mum's not staying at the hospital? - No, she's better now.

- Won't she behave badly anymore? - No.

- It's embarrassing when she does. - Hey, you ...

Your mum's the most beautiful woman in the world. Tell your friends that.

- She's fun too. - She's lots of fun.

Yeah, lots.

- Hi, boys. - Hi!

Are you coming?

Take off your shoes.

Take off your shoes, will you!

Hey, boys! Those little brats ....

The house looks so nice, Mads.

- Are they for me? - Yes.

Everything looks so nice. Look!

How wonderful.

- Hi. - Who's that?

This is Michelle. She helps me with the kids and keeps the house tidy.

Hello, I'm Michelle. Welcome home.

You're a nice person.

- Do you get along with the boys? - Oh yes, they're perfect angels.

They're crazy about Michelle.

And Mads ... Do you get along with him?

- Yes. But ... he's very messy. - I'm not.

- Yes, you are. - I'm not.

Yes, you are!

Just think, you've taken care of everything here in my house.

And you've taken care of Mads. Have you slept with him?

- No! - Just tell me. Have you?

- No! - Kira ...

We don't need you anymore.

Go away.

Just go.

Get out!

Do you think we'll make it this time?

What's the matter?

- There are people out in the garden. - There's nobody, honey.

Yes, there is. Look ...

There's nobody in the garden. Come on ...

Yes, there is. They're bringing tables.

There's John and Winnie.

- What are they doing, Mads? - I don't know ...

- Maybe I invited them. - Are we having a party?

- Yes. - For me?

Sweet Mads ...

Get dressed.

Mads, did you have an affair while I was gone?

- Of course I did. - No, you didn't.

- Yes, I did. - You did?

- No, of course not. - That's not what I heard.

- Oh? What did you hear? - That you had lots of affairs.

Yes ...

But apart from those, I didn't have any.

- Why didn't my father come? - I didn't call him.

Why not? - He doesn't like me

No..

He doesn't like anybody. Aren't you getting dressed?

I thought that was why you didn't visit me. Because you had an affair.

Listen ...

I didn't have an affair. Okay?

Get dressed.

Put on your black suit. The one I got you when you turned 33.

I'm not 33. I refuse to be over 30.

You're only 35, two months and 1 1 days old.

- I don't want to know. - You've got an age phobia.

Yes, I like having an age phobia. It keeps me young.

- I thought that I kept you young. - Yes, and you. Especially you.

- I'm over 30 too. - Yes, 31 , 1 1 months and two days.

The fastest are usually around 30.

Joyner, for example.

Before she died, she was about 30 and fast as hell.

You're handsome, Mads.

You're the handsomest man I know.

It's good to see you.

Hi, welcome home.

Cheers!

Cheers!

- Can you see me? No, you can't. - We can see more than enough.

We can hear you.

I wanted my wife to really feel that she'd come home.

How does one do that?

By inviting her to a restaurant or to Tivoli or on a trip to Mallorca?

Tivoli's closed.

No, I said to myself ... It has to be the real thing.

I'll ask all my dull friends for dinner so they can drink lots of red wine -

- and talk a lot of rubbish. Then she'll know she's come home.

She's here. Where she wants to be.

I'll take this opportunity to promote her, not because she's for sale ...

But because I want her to know how much I care about her.

- My wife is beautiful. - Yes, she is.

She's kind, she's a good mother.

I love you.

Eat and drink, dammit!

Cheers!

There is an old, old poet.

A Danish poet who is known all over the world.

He writes poems that are called "Grunk".

That's right. He's written ...

Easy now.

He's written a lovely little poem that is just right for today.

"Love while you do ..."

Okay, okay..

Help me, will you? How the hell does it go?

- That was a nice speech, Mads. - Thanks.

I just need to be alone for a minute.

- Shall I ask them to leave? - There's no need to.

It's the shoes. They're too small.

- We can exchange them. - No, I don't want to exchange them.

They were a present from the boys, I don't want to exchange them.

Come on, let's join our friends.

- I'm just going for a walk. - No!

I can't stand being with all those people right now.

Stop that!

- Okay. - Okay?

I'll just go for a little walk.

Hi, Papa, it's Kira. I'm downstairs in the lobby.

I'll wait.

- Are you all right, Papa? - I'm fine.

The Alfa's just been fixed, so everything's great. Sit down.

Did you become the man you wanted to be without Mummy?

I don't want to discuss it.

.

.

With your mother I was just a nobody, -

- running around like a poisoned rat to earn enough for the rent.

When I got home I'd just sit there staring at the wall.

- Was that her fault? - No, it's was me, I know.

But I just didn't want to live that way. So I left you.

All of you.

I could see that Tove did just fine.

So I chose myself.

That's how it is. I chose myself.

All right? I chose myself.

I chose myself.

I'm not very good at emotions, and with Tove it was all emotion!

There were emotions everywhere.

The walls were painted in emotions.

No, I wanted my life to be different.

I wanted to live like ...

... a tourist.

You know ...

... when you walk into a caf� in a strange country -

- and order a cup of coffee.

That's how I wanted my life to be.

- You're very beautiful, you know. - And then you left us.

Yes, I did.

I'll have to live with it.

So that was the reason ...

Mads, I think you should leave me.

No. No! -Why not?

- Because I love you. - How?

How?

Like this.

- Hi! - Hi, come on!

- This is a non-smoking area. - Really? I'm sorry.

Come on, Mummy!

Who can make the biggest splashes?

Tobias!

Emil, come on up.

Hey, you! This pool is for children.

Come on up, madam.

They are not much fun!

What are you doing?

- What are you doing? - Come on.

Take it easy. Come on.

No! Not my boys!

Don't take my boys!

- Relax! - Let go!

Let go!

Let go! No!

Jesus Christ!

Look at that.

Crazy bitch!

You're sick.

Julius ...

- Come on. - Stay here.

Don't leave the building.

Not now!

Excuse me. I've reported your wife to the police.

- Why? - She kicked me in the head, man.

Oh. I'm really sorry.

- Hi. - Hi. Where are your clothes?

- In there. - Go get them.

Come on.

Are you going to leave me now, Mads?

No.

- Are you sure? - I work.

I make money. I make sure everything's all right.

Why don't you get a job?

I don't know ... There's nothing I can do.

You can run fast.

Nothing's going to come of it, Mads.

- Take advantage of your talent. - I can't.

People who can run fast are in demand. - Whatfor?

For running errands,-- running over things, running after busses ...

You've grown so beautiful, Mads.

Have l?

You've become so relaxed.

You've grown older. It suits you.

Your tics are gone.

When we met, I remember how your whole face would vibrate ...

All gone.

When I look at you, -

- I'm so proud that you're my husband.

It almost makes me cry.

I wish I could ... reach you.

Really reach you. But I can't.

Don't get me wrong. It's not your fault.

I just can't.

- Mads, let's have one more child. - I don't think so.

- Why not? - We've got two already.

- I think it would be good for me. - I've got to get to work.

- That business dinner ... - For the contractors?

I'd like to do it for you. I really would.

- I really would. - I'll think of something.

I'll be back late. I've spent all afternoon sorting this out ...

- What about dinner? - I'll grab something on the way.

- Come on, boys. - Are you taking the boys?

- Why? I can take care of them. - Sure. But I think you need a rest.

- Okay? Come on. - Bye, Mum. See you.

Turn that thing off.

Do as I say.

- What's your name? - Gustav. I'm from Malm�.

Excuse me.

- Why are you sad? - What the hell do you mean?

- You're down? - Unhappy?

Yes, I think so.

No, I'm all right.

Maybe you've been sacked?

Or maybe your wife has left you?

No, I never married. I could never hold on to anybody.

Though I've tried.

They just seem to slip through my fingers.

It could be that ... I don't need women.

Perhaps I hate women.

- They always want a lot of children. - And lots of clothes.

They fill the bathroom with strange stuff and their family's always there.

- Yeah, the family. - It's better to be alone.

You're beautiful.

And strange. Very strange.

You think so?

I greet you most beautiful country on Earth

your sun, your sky your green meadows ...

Good morning.

Mads, it's me. I'm in Malm�.

Yes, Malm�.

They've built a bridge! Please come and fetch me, darling.

Just a minute.

Excuse me, what's the address here?

- Open the door and I'll tell you. - I'm afraid to. Just tell me.

I won't tell you unless you open the door.

Hang on.

24 ...

I'm back.

It's ... 24 Sundholmgatan.

Where are your clothes?

- Who the hell are you? - I'm her husband.

Your bag.

Thanks ... for coming.

I worried about you.

Everybody's been looking for you.

Take off those shades.

Come on. Take them off.

Take off those shades.

Take off those damn shades!

Are you totally useless? ls there anything you can do at all?

Just show me one thing you can do. Do you think you're a good wife?

- Yes. - Are you supportive of me?

Do you help me?

Do you support your husband? Do you help the children?

Do you help us?

Do you?

Can't we just go somewhere and be together?

No. No hotel, no adventure.

We could just lie together, and talk. I don't want to fight.

A proper wife ... if she has an affair, nobody notices.

She doesn't call home: "I've been fucking around, please fetch me."

She comes home with a plausible explanation!

Mads, I don't want to do this. I don't want to run around town -

- and end up in Malm�. That's not what I want.

I've just become this way.

Since that time.

I'm sorry, Mads.

- I have to take you back to hospital. - I'm not going back. I'm not sick.

I'm not sick.

- I'm not sick. - Yes, you are.

Yes, you are. You're sick if you do something like this!

- You're sick! - I'm not sick.

You don't love me anymore, Mads.

- That's not the point. - Yes, it is.

- Love is always the point. - No, not in the real world.

Here the point is to behave in a way so that other people can stand it.

You're no fun anymore, Mads. You've become so joyless.

You're dull. Unimaginative. Stupid.

You're just a tiny, mediocre man in a really big suit!

I'm bored. I'm bored. I'm bored. I'm bored with you.

I'm bored.

Come on.

You know what your mediocre husband did?

He had an affair ...

... with your sister.

- Do you love her? - No.

No.

I just want a life.

An ordinary life.

In a way, it's a good thing you had an affair.

Are you okay?

You know ... that dinner for the contractors ...

Wouldn't you like to arrange it?

This is the restaurant, which seats 200.

Your party could take two smaller tables or the main table.

- We'll take the long table. - Fine.

You're starting with Canadian lobster au gratin, -

- then the deer with Waldorff salad -

- and souffl� with lemon sorbet for dessert.

Yes. And you'll make sure my guests have their glasses filled ...

Sure. And after dinner I suggest that you have coffee and cognac in here -

- where we can create a more intimate atmosphere.

- And a traditional almond cake? - Fine. Almond cake for 14.

- When does the music start? - At nine p.m.

- Is it ... dance music? - Yes.

And here we have the casino with roulette, blackjack and poker.

This is where you have the chance to strike it rich ...

You can play various games at the roulette: Straight up, dozens ...

That is, columns from 1 to 12, 13 to 24 and 25 to 36.

You can change your money into chips ...

Oh, my God ... Thank you. My guests will be here in an hour.

I'm back. They'll be here in an hour.

Do you want me to help you?

Don't, Mads ...

Don't ...

Thanks.

- Do you want to jump on the bed? - Yeah.

I won.

- Good evening. - Hello, Mads.

I'm Kira, Mads's wife. So what do you supply?

The windows.

- Good evening. - I'm Kira. What a beautiful dress.

- Rolf Nielsen. - Kira. So what do you supply?

- Gutters. - Plastic gutters?

Plastic, copper, zinc ... everything.

- Indoor installations? - Wires, plugs ... This is my wife.

- And what do you supply? - Doors.

Good evening. Welcome. I'm Kira, Mads's wife.

- And you supply ..? - Nothing. I'm Mads's boss.

Welcome. I've arranged a nice dinner, -

- so I hope it'll be a success.

That's that, I guess.

Cheers. Welcome. I hope you'll have a pleasant evening.

We'll have coffee in the lounge, -

- and there'll be music later, -

- should anyone be in the mood for dancing.

Welcome. Enjoy your meal.

And there's a casino, so if anybody wants to go crazy ...

I'm not an expert, but I think that if your number's up -

- you get 36 times the amount you've put down.

- Or you can bet on black or red ... - If you want to be bored.

Cheers!

Waiter. Waiter!

Waiter! Can we have some wine at the big table?

- So they're both at kindergarten? - Yes. They go to the same one.

We're very pleased with it. It's just the local kindergarten.

It's great for them to have each other.

Are you mad?

I have a son who's mad.

I'm just a little bit mad.

My son is completely mad ...

Ouch!

Is she playing with the food?

Cheers, Rolf. That'll teach you to keep your fingers to yourself.

I hoped she wouldn't notice ...

We also supply something: A house that is completely finished.

A house with doors, windows, wiring ...

But if you don't deliver, we can't ...

You make it sound as if we don't want to deliver the goods, Mads.

The conditions are exactly the same as they were 10 years ago.

- You get paid for delivering. - Can we improve the production?

Right, gentlemen, it's time for a dance. Who's first?

Not now.

You have to make your companies live up to our requirements.

- How about you, Lars? - Not right now.

Come on, darling?

Not right now.

We haven't had this kind of problem before.

I'd like to dance with you.

I think I know what you're thinking. Just hold on.

My son is very sick. He's let go completely.

I feel I've lost him.

Poor you.

I can't reach him.

I try to help him, but he doesn't want help.

Just hold on.

Yes ...

- We've wasted a lot of time ... - I'm not giving you a lame excuse.

I'm explaining our dilemma.

- Who's next on the dance floor? - Not now, honey.

- Won't anybody dance now? - Not now.

I'll dance with you.

- You're a marvellous dancer. - Thank you.

- Did you take classes? - No ... Well, ages ago.

Mads is a hopeless dancer. He's so clumsy.

But ... he's always working. He loves his work.

You couldn't have found a better man. He works day and night.

When we're on holiday, he brings his work and his cell phone with him.

In fact, it's as if he had a mistress.

Without sex, of course. At least I hope so.

Do you know what I think? I think you should go to your room -

- and stay there till the party's over, before you spoil everything.

Don't you think that's best?

Cheers, boys. We'll work it out.

Mads ...

I'm going up to my room. I'm a bit tired.

You are? Go and have a rest, then.

Good night.

Good night.

What's going on?

TRIED ...

I MISS ...

I WAS FUN

I thought you were tired.

- What are you writing? - A letter.

- To whom? - To you.

- What does it say? - Wait ...

- What does it say? - Wait, please ...

"Mads. I'm afraid that I'll disappear."

I'll disappear ...

"So I have to talk to you. You're not here."

"I just wanted to dance, that's all."

"I guess I'm not the one you want anymore."

"You want the one I used to be."

"I'll never be her again."

"I've tried." I've tried ...

I've tried ...

" But it's as if you miss me, even when I'm there."

"So do l."

"I miss the girl I used to be."

"I was fun and quick."

"I could always make you happy."

"You were a tall, skinny beanpole in a denim jacket."

"Covered in mortar, always putting bricks on top of each other."

"I was so in love with you."

"And then ..."

"Then we bought the house and you were so proud."

"You were the first one in your family to buy his own house."

"Then we had the boys."

It's nice talking to you like this. Alone.

It's so quiet here.

It's impossible to live with me, I know. I do unforgivable things.

I'm ashamed. Especially for the boys.

I can't do the simplest things. They don't need that kind of mother.

I've just become this way.

She only lived for three days.

When we buried her, I took your hand, but you pulled away from me.

You wouldn't hold my hand. Why not?

She was so tiny.

The sun was shining.

I screamed.

I screamed ...

She was stuck inside me.

But you wouldn't talk about it.

You were busy. Too busy to go to the meetings with the doctor.

Too busy to visit me.

But it's all right, darling.

I think you were better off without me.

"You won't have to pick me up in strange places anymore -

- or worry about my behaviour."

" Because I'm leaving you now. Take my sister. She's right for you."

"I just want to see the boys often."

"I love you."

"I have to go through with this, so it's best if we don't talk -

- before I've gone."

"Love, your mad wife, Kira."

Where will you go? You can't cope on your own.

There's nobody to take care of you. You'll be in trouble after five minutes.

Is this a new game, the silent thing?

That's the game?

Is that the game?

Papa, it's Kira. Did I wake you up?

Please come and fetch me. Yes, now.

In Elsinore. Thanks.

Are you leaving? Let's do it properly, then!

Do it properly this time!

Stay away from me and the kids.

I came there often in the beginning, the first time you were admitted.

I was there all the time. Every day.

But there was that smell, that clean smell ...

A hospital smell.

And my wife, crawling up the walls.

The next day she'd just sit there staring out of the window.

Wouldn't look at me or talk to me.

And that smell ...

Coffee ... I always had coffee, when I sat there, waiting for you.

Waiting for you to turn around.

Jesus, how a cup of coffee can smell in a place like that!

It drives away that clean smell completely.

I could make that cup of coffee last for hours.

But then that smell returned ...

... and I just had to go.

When she died, they gave us tea.

Remember?

They were really kind to us, but tea?

It doesn't quite take the smell away like coffee does.

All the time, when I sat there waiting for you to turn around, I'd think:

In a minute, she'll turn around.

She'll turn around and talk to me.

And she'll say, "Mads, that tie doesn't go with your shirt."

"And why did you put on those awful shoes?"

I tried to visit you ...

... but I couldn't.

This letter ... it's the most beautiful letter I've ever had.

I'll get it framed and hang it up in the house.

At home.

Please dance with me.

Kira.

Come on, let's go.

Kira, I hate this damn place, let's go.

Please, Kira, let's go now.

Wait, Papa.

A bottle of champagne, please. On his bill.

- On this gentleman's bill? - Yes. Over there.

And that awful music. Jesus ...

Well ... here's another daughter.

This is quite the family get-together.

Charlotte, come and sit here.

Never mind those two. Have some champagne. One more glass, please.

How are you?

I miss you.

- What are they doing? - Are you asking me?

No idea. I guess they're dancing.

Mads called and told me to come with the kids.

"It's over now," he said.

- It doesn't look that way. - No.

What's this ...

My baby.

There, there ...

Subtitles: Ellen Gammelgaard SDI Media Denmark