Well... yuck

I disagree. While the plot is contrived and conventional I found the characters and there reactions to be so incredibly human and real that I forgave the weak plot. For me, it wasn't important to root for anyone, everyone was flawed, everyone had good and bad aspects to there character. Unlike you, I found that it worked perfectly as a whole. The reactions of each of the characters to there situations and to the people around them was incredibly believable and touching. The doctor was in love with Cecilie and wanted to make her happy yet felt a huge amount of guilt over what he was doing to his family, the wife wasn't stereotypically bitter but instead incredibly desperate for her husband to come back and be a father to their children, Cecilie was just completely and utterly lonely, wanting to be with her boyfriend but feeling frustrated and abandoned when he kept pushing her away. Maybe it's just not your type of movie but I found Open Hearts to be one of my favourite movies of all time.

I thought it was a great film. I respect the film more for being realistic and not having a hero in it. It does not blame anyone in the end for being wrong, it unfolds and lets you make your own mind up. I think the title Open Hearts shows that no matter what happens both couples will love each other what ever happens and what ever they do.
As for the uncle finn comment, i think it is a good point and i didnt think of it that way. however i dont think anything happened between them, i feel she still wanted Niels back.

SPOILERS.... @ Though this post is years after original thread I would like to put my 2 cents in. After viewing this movie you are the only person who gave an opinion about the plot and the actions of the characters. Posters feel just because it happened and was natural you cannot speak of how one may view the characters. I found those who say no one is at fault we should not judge them. Well the girlfriend was a bit shallow to get with the husband of the woman who caused the accident. She was lonely and I felt really sorry for her but where was her since of dignity. Of course the guy whom was paralyzed would act this way. Thought she should have been more patient and at least if he meant so much to her not to date someone who is so close to this. I feel they would never be happy because of the guilt of him leaving a loving wife who also has to live with what she caused. Just how would you explain this to your kids whom you are abandoning as well. It would be way to much for them especially with how shallow she was. It's hard to believe she did not think of this. Everyone feels she would have to move on from him but in this manner was a woman with no self esteem. Sure they left it open in the end because in my opinion they wanted some of us to feel just as the OP and i feel the characters of the husband and girl friend were two terrible people. By the way I felt the husband knew she was vulnerable and took advantage of her. sure he fel for her because she was grieving and did not resist any contaCt that would relieve her pain.

Denmark makes the most boring movies in Northern Europe. People tend to forget Denmark exists. So because Denmark is forgotten the movies are forgotten.

My sig: why do almost all movies on imdb have a "worst movie ever!" thread?

I think that Cecilie's is more empathetic than the Doctor's. Her fiancee was paralyzed so she would clearly be an emotional wreck so I can understand her being needy and emotional and selfish to some extent. The doctor betrayed his wife, apparently for the attention of a younger woman. But the actor played it so sincerely, as if to just say, I'm pathetic and I'll do whatever I'm told. So, this wasn't a great romance or anything. Apparently neither of them were genuinely happy and more concerned with fulfilling their needs but I think that they were both aware that they had failed themselves and their family and they were ashamed of themselves.