'In a Better World'review: Oscar winning film grounded, offering up rare case of well-earned hope

WithMikael Persbrandt,Trine Dyrholm. Two families deal with violence and cruelty. Director:Susanne Bier(1:43). R: Violence. At Lincoln Plaza and Sunshine CInema.

This year'sOscar winnerfor Best Foreign Language Film, the Danish drama"In a Better World"is a cinematic balm, offering a wise, wide view on the aftermath of anger, recrimination and intolerance.

Middle-schooler Elias (Markus Rygaard) moves with his mother to a new town, while his physician father, Anton (Mikael Persbrandt), works at African refugee camps. Anton and his wife are estranged, forcingEliasto face a school bully on his own.

In one fight, Elias' classmate Christian (William Johnk Juel Nielsen) comes to his aid. Upset about his mom's recent death, Christian also seeks an outlet for his anger.

When Anton, on a brief visit, is assailed by a stranger in front of the kids, he uses it as a teachable moment. Christian and Elias, though, plan revenge.

Director Susanne Bier beautifully communicates how our best and worst sides mingle until the need to be better requires more. That sounds a bit preachy, but"World"is grounded, offering up a rare case of well-earned hopefulness.

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