THE male ego is a delicate thing.

Many men take pride at being at the head of a traditional family unit where they provide for and protect their wife and kids.

But what happens when that foundation is shaken to the core?

That's what Force Majeure explores, a pitch black comedy in which director Ruben Östlund takes a scalpel to the pressures and expectations of a modern family unit.

The Swedish film focuses on successful businessman Tomas (Johannes Kuhnke) who is on a skiing holiday with his family at an upmarket resort in the French Alps.

But when an avalanche bears down on them during lunch at a mountainside lunch, Tomas makes a panicked decision which leaves his wife Ebba questioning the life they have built together.

He leaves his wife and kids to fend for themselves, only stopping to grab his iPhone before he flees.

Östlund's film does not so much judge Tomas for his regretful split second reaction but how he reacts afterwards.

This leads to some brilliantly filmed but extremely awkward social exchanges which give the most cringeworthy moments in The Office a run for their money.

A word of mouth success following its entry in the Cannes Film Festival, Force Majeure is an excellent portrayal of the exaggerations and white lies we tell to protect the image we have of ourselves.

Game of Thrones' Kristofer Hivju is also excellent as Tomas's friend who tries to defuse the situation only to get wrapped up in all the self doubt that the moment causes.