Good ol’ alcohol. Everyone has their thoughts. It’s not for me. It loosens me up! It is forbidden. Well, however you feel about it, it shapes Another Round in the best way.
You see, Martin and his three friends have lost the pep in their step. They’re not sure how it happened, or when, but they want it back. So what are responsible, middle-aged teachers to do? Test a hypothesis, of course: Drinking each day will bring whatever they’ve lost back.
Not to excess! Not like some of their students. Just enough to optimize their lives—to bring back their curiosities and passions. So in the classroom, at home, and in the park, we watch them try. It’s a fun, interesting, and often poignant time.
But drunken party it is not. Though there are scenes of that (ranging from exhilarating to concerning), this is above all else a nuanced story of personal exploration and friendship. We follow Martin most, his family and inner journey, but everyone plays a part.
And at some point, our teachers learn. Alcohol is a drug, and drugs have side effects.
For a movie about drinking, it is pleasantly balanced. It’s not too dark, but neither is it too rosy, or clinical. It has a whiff of realness to it. If I were you, I’d take a sip.