A Fortunate Man

A Fortunate Man is a Danish film, directed by Billie August and based on the novel of the same name by Nobel Prize-winning author Henrik Pontoppidan. The movie is set in the late 19th century and tells the story of Peter Andreas Sidenius, a highly ambitious and gifted young man from a devout Christian family who embarks on a journey to become a wealthy merchant and confidant of the Danish Royal Court.

The film opens with a young Peter (played by Joachim Fjelstrup) finishing his studies at a theological college, where he discovers his love for science and his desire to make a name for himself. His father, a strict pastor (played by Rasmus Bjerg), is disappointed with Peter's decision to pursue worldly success, but Peter is determined to fulfill his dreams.

Peter moves to Copenhagen, where he quickly rises through the ranks of a trading company and catches the attention of the wealthy and powerful Jakobe Salomon (played by Katrine Greis-Rosenthal), a beautiful and enigmatic woman who becomes his lover and muse. Jakobe introduces Peter to the refined world of high society and encourages him to pursue his dreams relentlessly, even at the cost of his own happiness.

As Peter becomes more successful, he also becomes more ruthless and cold-hearted, alienating his family and friends and losing touch with his own humanity. He becomes involved in a shady business deal that threatens to ruin his reputation and his relationship with Jakobe, and he must decide whether to sacrifice his ambitions or his morals.

Meanwhile, Peter also meets and falls in love with a young woman named Johanne (played by Sofie Torp), a kind and gentle schoolteacher who embodies everything he has been neglecting in his pursuit of wealth and status. Johanne sees the good in Peter and tries to help him rediscover his compassion and empathy, but her kindness is not enough to break through Peter's arrogance and ego.

Esben Smed gives a powerful and nuanced performance as the adult Peter, capturing his complexity and contradictions with subtlety and depth. He portrays Peter as a man tormented by his own ambition and haunted by his past mistakes, searching for redemption and meaning in a world that values success above all else.

The film is visually stunning, with gorgeous cinematography that captures the beauty and harshness of the Danish countryside and the opulence and decadence of high society. The costumes and production design are meticulous and authentic, transporting the viewer back to a time of great change and upheaval in Europe.

Overall, A Fortunate Man is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of ambition, love, and morality with intelligence and compassion. It is a must-see for fans of historical dramas and character-driven stories, and a testament to the power of cinema to illuminate the human condition.