Love Is All You Need

Danish hairdresser Ida (Trine Dyrholm) has just triumphed over breast cancer after enduring a mastectomy, but upon returning home, she discovers that her husband Leif is embroiled in an affair with his accountant, Tilde. Meanwhile, in a different area of Copenhagen, Philip (Pierce Brosnan), an English businessman thriving in the export of fruits and vegetables, has become increasingly misanthropic following the tragic death of his wife.

As fate would have it, Ida’s daughter Astrid and Philip’s son Patrick are gallivanting in Italy, readying Patrick’s family villa for their wedding—a union that is only three months in the making after their whirlwind romance.

Ida, grappling with denial over her husband’s betrayal, resolutely plans to fly solo to Italy for the wedding. However, a fateful encounter at the Copenhagen airport leads her to collide with Philip, igniting their first interaction. Upon discovering that she is Astrid’s mother, both find themselves journeying to the villa in a shared car, yet their initial impression of each other is less than favorable. While Philip finds Ida to be exasperating, she perceives him as rude and unkind.

As the wedding festivities unfold at the villa, tensions mount dramatically when Leif arrives with Tilde, who shockingly introduces herself as his fiancée. Feeling hurt and betrayed, Ida seeks solace in a swim at a nearby cove, where she catches the attention of Philip, who races to warn her of the dangerous current. During their return, Philip introduces Ida to the orchard filled with fragrant lemon and orange trees, sparking a connection.

As their time together progresses, Philip becomes increasingly drawn to Ida’s kind-hearted nature, eventually revealing the heartbreaking details surrounding his wife’s death. Meanwhile, he fends off the advances of his sister-in-law Benedikte. In a heartfelt moment during a pre-wedding celebration, Philip shares a dance with Ida, but the atmosphere turns tense when Leif, in a fit of jealousy, pushes Ida around, prompting their son to step in and defend her honor.

Later at the party, a perplexing situation unfolds when Patrick witnesses Astrid enjoying herself with Alessandro, a hired hand. When Patrick intervenes, he learns of Astrid’s revelation about his sexuality, leading to an unexpected kiss between him and Alessandro soon after the brief altercation.

On the morning of the wedding, a twist of fate sees Patrick go missing, leading Philip to uncover his son’s deep reservations about marriage. Faced with Patrick’s confession—that his engagement was partly based on what he thought was expected of him—both young lovers make the courageous decision to notify their guests that they won’t be proceeding with the wedding. In a tender moment, Ida comforts Astrid while Philip reassures Patrick, both of them having to say farewell without truly expressing their feelings.

Eventually, upon returning to Denmark, Ida is met with a house full of roses from Leif, who professes his love and offers an apology for his infidelity. Conversely, Philip grapples with his own emotional desert, feeling that life has become empty. He decides to visit Ida at her salon, sharing his intention to reduce work commitments and relocate to Italy. When he invites her to visit, Ida tells him she’s rekindled her relationship with Leif. However, amidst the guise of love, she comes to the realization that her feelings for Leif have waned, leading to their breakup.

Without hesitation, Ida heads to Italy, shedding her wig in favor of her natural, short hair that symbolizes her healing journey. There, she reunites with Philip, who is now working in the lemon orchard once more. In an intimate moment, she asks him to sit with her as she prepares to open a letter containing her latest test results. Just before revealing the outcome, they share a gentle kiss, and once the results are read, smiles spread across their faces, followed by another passionate kiss.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:29