A Fortunate Man

A Fortunate Man, (original Danish title: Lykke-Per) is a movie that first graced the silver screens in 2018, directed by the highly lauded Bille August, who is universally recognized for other aesthetic works like Pelle the Conqueror and The Best Intentions. With its ensemble cast featuring Esben Smed, Katrine Greis-Rosenthal, and Benjamin Kitter, this Danish drama movie is an exerting exploration of one's fate, dreams, religion, and personal yearning for love and recognition.

Esben Smed delivers a sterling performance as the protagonist, Peter Sidenius, who is also known as Per. An ambitious, aspiring young man, Per hails from a rigorously religious household in rural Denmark. Breaking away from his devout Christian family, Per moves to the bustling city of Copenhagen, bright-eyed with youth and fueled by a burning desire to drastically improve the living conditions of his fellow Danes. His grand design is based on harnessing the power of wind and water to create a pioneering electricity network that he believes could uplift the face of Denmark.

Per’s assertive nature, non-conformist spirit, and drive to achieve success set him at odds with the traditional norms of society. This contrast becomes all too apparent in his interactions with the conservative establishment, both within the worldly realm of business and his own deeply religious family.

In Copenhagen, Per crosses paths with a wealthy Jewish family, the Salomons, who control one of Denmark's leading banking establishments. It is here that he encounters Katrine Salomon (portrayed impressively by Katrine Greis-Rosenthal), a woman of engaging intellect and a vibrant, mesmerizing charm that brings a shimmering life into Per's world.

Katrine becomes an instrumental figure in Per’s life, contributing significantly to the unraveling of his complex character and stimulating his ambition. She's far ahead of her Victorian-era mores, a thoroughly modern woman with liberal ideas about ladies' roles in society. The chemistry between Per and Katrine is palpable, and their relationship burgeons into a tender, yet tumultuous love affair that tingles with intense emotion, ambition, and unavoidable social disparities.

Supporting the two leads is the venerable Benjamin Kitter, who embellishes the dazzling narrative with a striking performance as Per’s elder brother, known for his adherence to the stern religious views of their family.

A Fortunate Man is not only a tale of Per’s ambitious aspirations and the indomitable spirit that propels him to defy the odds, but it also studies a broader theme concerning the tension between tradition and progress, especially in Danish society at the turn of the 20th Century. Woven with themes of ambition, love, and the pursuit of an idealistic dream, the movie captures the era's technological optimism without losing sight of the personal narratives at its heart.

Additionally, the foundation of the movie is rooted in an exploration of how our origins and family roles indelibly shape our destiny. Per’s turbulent relationship with his father, his struggle to reconcile his ambitious dreams with the religious limitations placed on him, and his endeavours to secure his place in society render a compelling depiction of how personal histories often intertwine inseparably with wider societal change.

Bille August’s careful direction, combined with the commendable acting performances, precisely capture the simmering tension between science and religion, the haves and have-nots, and the agonizing cost one must often pay for personal liberation. Jens Schlosser's sweeping cinematography beautifully creates a sense of time and place, and complements the story's changing moods, while the costumes and production design are painstakingly crafted to authentically illustrate the era.

Based on the novel Lykke-Per by Danish Nobel laureate Henrik Pontoppidan, A Fortunate Man is a must-watch for those who appreciate period dramas infused with an in-depth exploration of character psychology. This film offers a visually stunning piece of cinema that pulls on the heartstrings and engages the mind. It embarks on an observational drumbeat that, while serene and poised, pushes audiences to scrutinize their attitudes towards ambition, society and the role of religion in broad daylight.