Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) has everything under control; a successful military career, a beautiful wife (Connie Nielsen) and two daughters. His younger brother Jannik (Nicolaj Lie Kaas) is a drifter, living on the edge.

When Michael is sent to Afghanistan on a UN mission it is not long before events take a dramatic turn and Michael is missing in action; presumed dead. Sarah is comforted by Jannik who against all the odds takes responsibility for himself and his brother's family. It soon becomes clear that Jannik and Sarah's feelings have developed beyond mutual sympathy but the fragility of their emotions is constantly under threat as the balance between the two brothers changes forever...

Her first film in her native Danish tongue, Gladiator star Connie Nielsen picked up the Bodil award for Best Actress while director Susanne Bier scooped the Critics Award at the 2004 Hamburg Film Festival.