Emil is the male protagonist of A Copenhagen Love Story, a Netflix film that delves into love, personal growth, and the complexities of fertility struggles.
A grounded and emotionally mature character, Emil provides a stark contrast to Mia’s impulsiveness.
Throughout the film, he is portrayed as a devoted father who consistently prioritizes his children while also striving to be a supportive and loving partner to Mia.
His journey is one of patience, vulnerability, and self-preservation as he navigates his relationship with Mia, his responsibilities as a father, and his struggles with infertility.
Overview
Emil’s Introduction: A Man with a Past
Emil is introduced as a quiet and melancholic figure at Mia’s book launch, where he goes largely unnoticed by her.
His presence at the event is orchestrated by Gro, Mia’s best friend, who introduces him as a potential romantic match.
However, Mia initially brushes him off, distracted by a reckless fling with a waiter who turns out to be a high school student.
Despite this inauspicious first encounter, Emil remains composed and patient, traits that define his character throughout the film.
He expresses his explicit interest in Mia to Gro, their common point, who then orchestrates a date between the two.
Emil is a divorced father, which immediately sets him apart from Mia, who is hesitant about the idea of dating someone with children.
Their first date is marked by awkward yet revealing conversations, particularly when Emil inquires whether Mia’s book protagonist, Rebecca, is based on her own experiences.
Mia confirms this, foreshadowing how her writing will later become an outlet for their shared struggles.
The Evolution of Emil and Mia’s Relationship
Despite Mia’s initial apprehensions, Emil’s gentle and humorous nature begins to break down her walls.
During their second date, he makes her a flower out of a napkin, showcasing his thoughtfulness.
He also displays a playful sense of humour, which helps Mia feel at ease.
This date marks a turning point, leading to their first kiss and the beginning of a relationship built on both passion and vulnerability.
As their romance flourishes, Emil continues to prioritize his children, creating a delicate balance between his responsibilities as a father and his growing love for Mia.
Initially, he keeps Mia separate from his kids, a decision that frustrates her.
However, he speaks warmly about her to them, telling them, “Mia makes me very happy.”
When they finally meet, the interaction goes well, reinforcing the idea that Mia could fit into his family life.
Struggles with Fertility
When Mia expresses her desire to have children, Emil agrees, setting the stage for their fertility journey.
However, after nine months of unsuccessful attempts, they visit a private clinic, where they discover that Emil’s sperm count is deteriorating.
This revelation deeply affects him, though Mia reassures him that it’s okay.
Despite his personal struggles, Emil remains emotionally available for Mia, albeit with moments of frustration.
After a school parents’ event, they take a pregnancy test, which comes back negative.
Mia vents to her friends, lamenting that she is the one enduring hormonal injections while the issue lies with Emil.
The strain begins to take a toll on their intimacy, and during a visit to an art museum, Mia insists they have sex to increase their chances of conception.
Emil, feeling exhausted by the constant pressure, calls her hysterical.
They attempt intimacy but find it mechanical and unfulfilling, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of their fertility struggles.
Prioritizing His Children vs. Being a Supportive Partner
Throughout the film, Emil’s role as a father remains his top priority.
While he deeply loves Mia, he consistently places his children’s well-being above everything else.
This is particularly evident when Mia experiences an emotional breakdown at a kids’ Halloween party, screaming in frustration after another failed fertility attempt.
The children are terrified, and Emil instinctively chooses to comfort them over staying with Mia.
When she asks him to stay, he refuses, telling her that she would do the same if she had children of her own.
This moment becomes a breaking point for their relationship, reinforcing Mia’s fear that she will always come second to his children.
Despite this, Emil is not an unfeeling partner. He continually supports Mia through her struggles, even when he feels sidelined or emotionally drained.
When she experiences menopause symptoms due to medical treatments, he remains present, though he eventually expresses that he feels suffocated by the negativity surrounding their relationship.
Conflict and Separation
Mia’s writing becomes a source of contention when she starts documenting their fertility journey in her book.
Emil is particularly upset when she casually mentions his low sperm count at a dinner with friends, making him feel exposed and vulnerable.
He expresses his discomfort with being included in her book, telling her that he does not want to be written about and that he does not want the world to learn about his fertility issues.
As their arguments escalate, he accuses her of focusing only on the negatives in their relationship, making it increasingly suffocating for him.
In one sitting waiting for the doctor’s appointment, Emil, exhausted by the blame game, asks if he can let go for one night.
Mia, overwhelmed, responds that letting go is a privilege she does not have.
Their inability to meet each other’s emotional needs leads to Mia leaving the relationship, stating that she ended things before he could.
Emil, hurt, tries to contact her to the point of visiting her flat.
Here, his character’s maturity is displayed at its peak as he asks Mia to return and says how partners who choose each other fight to make their relationships work.
The Path to Reconciliation
After their separation, Emil focuses on his art while Mia attempts to move on.
However, she eventually realizes that she still loves him.
Encouraged by her brother Andreas, she seeks Emil out, only to find him at his art exhibition.
Their conversation is raw and honest—Mia admits that she has always felt unlovable, while Emil states that he needs to protect himself and his children.
Despite this, they share a kiss, signalling that their love is not entirely lost, and ends in reconciliation.
At a Christmas dinner, Mia integrates more fully into Emil’s family, bonding with his children, who playfully tease her about how she used to be ugly.
When Mia learns that her editor, Rikkie, is pregnant, she takes a moment to grieve the loss of her dream of natural pregnancy.
Emil, however, suggests trying again, reinforcing his commitment to their shared future.
This moment signifies his enduring love and support for Mia despite the hardships they have faced.
A Love That Endures; The End
Emil’s character in A Copenhagen Story is a testament to the complexities of love, fatherhood, and personal resilience.
While he prioritizes his children above all else, he remains a deeply caring and supportive partner to Mia, even when their relationship faces insurmountable challenges.
His emotional maturity and patience serve as a counterbalance to Mia’s impulsive nature, creating a dynamic that is both tender and tumultuous.
In the film’s final moments, Emil and Mia decide to undergo another IVF attempt.
When the phone rings, Mia braces for disappointment—only to discover that she is finally pregnant.
In a poignant cinematic narration that almost works like a telepathic conversation, she asks Emil if he loves her even when things are difficult.
His response is unwavering: he never doubts their love.
The film ends with Emil, Mia, and the children embracing, symbolizing a hard-earned but deeply meaningful happiness.
Emil’s story is one of endurance and quiet strength.
He is not just Mia’s lover but also a father navigating the delicate balance between his responsibilities and his own desires.
His unwavering love, despite the emotional turmoil, cements him as one of the film’s most compelling and human characters.
