Excellent actors who make us move and move us with the typical reactions of human nature. We carry the prejudices of our parents who in turn were also stripped of the subtleties to face the hostility of the era in which they had to live.
It forces you to give up those entrenched selves that are made of selfishness and inconsistencies.
Thank you for having managed to wet my cheeks and give opportunity to those who want in a different way to leave the orphanages empty.
My score 5/10.
Great movie...with a nice happy ending....
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParent2020-06-14T15:41:47Z
A lighthearted Swedish drama and a solid postmodernist piece of cinema, this film is clean and simple with a solid cast.
Script: 7
The script takes a basic Swedish premise and depicts it from a slightly exaggerated perspective, without straying too far from reality. The story is predictable from start to finish but enjoyable in its characterisations and the feel-good esthetic.
Main cast: 9
Gustaf Skarsgård in a surprisingly low-key yet layered performance. It's a joy to see after his oftentimes over-the-top portrayals. It's up to Torkel Petersson to handle the intense acting. Tom Ljungman completes the trio as a believably deranged teenager with a good heart.
The basic premise in and of itself isn't particularly new, and the script is based in an even older play, but the way it depicts modern Swedish society while also raising important questions of parenthood, marriage, teenage troubles and family values makes it a fascinating piece if postmodern cinema.
Supporting cast: 6
The supporting cast isn't particularly memorable, despite several well-known actors. Most of them have been wasted in minor roles with minimal dialogue.
Protagonist & antagonist: 8
Göran is the mellow and reasonable adult, Sven the sharper one, stuck in his teenage years. They have to learn to overcome their expectations while learning to accept both each other their position in a society that doesn't fully accept them.
Patrick turns from a troubled teenager with a criminal past to a responsible, accepting and understanding young man. The real villain in the film is the biased neighbourhood Göran and Sven live in.
Production: 7
Here's that mid-2000s grainy camera filter, giving the picture bleak colours and making the film look older than it is. The costume design and set decoration evoke feelings if a mid-2000s film.
The director keeps it clean and simple with no unnecessary trickery or gimmicks. It works favourably in a simple film like this.
Post-production: 7
There's almost no music in the film, but the one that is used sounds like stock footage.
Atmosphere: 9
Throughout most of its runtime, the comedy aspect is downloaded, almost given a secondary position next to the dramatic side of the plot. While he certainly boasts with a fair share or more it less exaggerated situation and goofy humour, the script doesn't fully rely on that.
In its heart, this is a tale of acceptance and life in a biases society but also overcoming ones personal fears and biases and growing as a person. It's a powerful message delivered in a light package. The film doesn't try to be anything more than it is.
The comedy might be light and the emotional depth quite shallow, but the ending is highly satisfying and manages to tug on your heartstrings. It's a beautiful ending.
Pacing: 7
This is a pretty slow film, with only limited variation in tempo and emotional depth. The story is predictable, so you'll find yourself waiting for some final twist to appear.
Expectations: 8
I expected more of a comedy film but ended up watching a light-hearted drama with an important message.
Replay value: 7
This is the kind of easygoing and complicated drama I find myself returning to whenever I need some light entertainment.
Score: 75/120