Do you ever wonder if certain Scandinavian movies get on the U.S. arthouse circuit simply by virtue of being Scandinavian? The Danish title of this thriller translates literally to "Love in the Movies". Danish writer and director Ole Bornedal kicks off his movie by three clips advertised as "love scenes." In quick succession: One, a dying man, Jonas (Anders W. Berthelsen) lies in the rain as a howling woman kneels over him; Two, the same couple attempt nookie in their matrimonial bed, but fail; Three, a near-naked sexy young couple in a third-world hotel room. The woman, Julia (Rebecka Hemse) is about to shoot her boyfriend through the chest. No lack of passion there.

Next thing we know Julia is back in Denmark, in a car speeding along a highway. She is on the run from traumatic events that transpired in Southeast Asia. Jonas and his wife meanwhile are in their car, with their two kids safely strapped into their seats in the back. Then, Wham! Jonas and family narrowly escape death as Julia's speeding car misses them by an inch and explodes into another car just in front of them. Julia lives, but ends up blind and in a coma. Meet-cute.

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