Teddy Bear

A gigantic physique hides the fragile man beneath and Matthiesen ably follows the journey of that persona as it tunnels through mounds of muscle to reach the surface. In essence, the lion finds his courage.

Kold single-handedly carries the film, with his quietly powerful portrayal of a gentle soul in a giant's body.

This wispy story is distinguished by its sweetness of spirit, and it comes straight from Kold.

There's nothing surprising about the arc of Kold's story, but Matthiesen and his cast have created a believable space, and that ultimately helps give Teddy Bear the tension of a fine suspense film once Kold sits down across the kitchen table from Steentoft to speak his mind at last.

Mr. Matthiesen has a way of consistently and gently upending expectations, sometimes with humor.

From its title to its closing caress, Mads Matthiesen's film skates perilously close to the cliff's edge of mawkish sentiment.

The low-key drama is well crafted and likable as far as it goes, but there's not enough narrative impetus or depth to maintain more than passing viewer interest.