A Man Called Ove

I can credit a mini-vacation to visit a friend for the good fortune of catching this film at a Richmond, Virginia art house, as I'm almost one hundred percent certain it would never appear in the area where I live. Because he (my friend) and his wife had read the book on which the story was based, the natural question was how closely did the film follow the original story, and with minor exceptions, it captured the essence well enough to deter any disappointment. The picture almost immediately calls to mind Clint Eastwood's 2008 movie "Gran Torino" and the similarities are many. The principal character Ove (Rolf Lassgard) is a recently retired senior citizen who's wife has recently passed away, and his severe conservative code of ethics is displayed in the way he attempts to enforce the administrative codes of his neighborhood block association. Told in a non-linear fashion, the story takes us back to Ove's childhood and young adult life, with a tender and touching story of how he met his wife Sonja (Ida Engvoll), and how they both managed to persevere through an unfortunate accident that left her crippled but determined to live a normal life. What could have been a morose story is emphatically brought to life when a new set of neighbors arrives next door to Ove, and he finds his ideas of immigrants consistently challenged. One gets the sense that Ove at no time wants to be bothered with other people, but at the same time finds it impossible not to reach out and help someone in a time of trouble or crisis. Having decided that he wants to join his beloved wife on the other side, Ove is constantly thwarted in his attempt to take his own life. In that respect, the film calls to mind another picture, this one from 1971, called "Harold and Maude". The difference however, is that the character Harold fakes suicide repeatedly to get a rise out of his family, whereas Ove seeks a real outcome. Or does he? The viewer must draw one's own conclusion, particularly after Ove declares that "Killing oneself isn't all that easy." Because this is a Swedish film, the only one I've ever seen at this point, one rather major disconnect for me occurred when the Willie Nelson song "You Were Always on My Mind" popped up in the soundtrack. In a way, it did fit the occasion because it had to do with Ove's memory of his wife, but it just seemed odd and out of context. The other concession to American film making that I'm sensitive to because I've seen it so many times now, was a product placement for Coca Cola, which shouldn't amaze me so much in a global economy, but it was just too striking not to mention it. Filmed in Swedish with English sub-titles, this is a competent film that one ought to catch if it should come your way. Along with the heartbreak of Ove's personal story, there are many moments of warmth and humor, and you'll catch yourself chuckling in spots that are both touching and ironic. Not necessarily a feel good movie in the traditional sense, though the picture has a way of working it's magic in a profound way.

This was a lovely, conventional film. No, really it's a movie rather than a film. And while Swedish, it reads very conventional Hollywood. Movie comfort food, if you will. Very nice, and a total feel-good movie for all ages. It leaves one feeling all warm and fuzzy. And besides that, well, that's about it. What stays with me? A sad sense of longing for community, so very rare today, especially in the USA. Scoring the different elements of the film objectively, 1 to 4: Script/Story: 3.5 - nice, well constructed. Loved the fact that flashbacks ride on scenes of suicide attempts. This was a nice, ironic feature of the narrative. Cinematography/Visual Effects: 3 - conventional, competently shot. Not much more to say. Editing: 3 - See above (heavy sigh -- conventional, competently edited. Not much more to say.) Sound Effects: 2 - forgettable, nothing significant here. Musical Score: 2.5, at times stereotypical, ie Spanish-y music for scenes set in Spain, etc. Competent, but not significant, which is very appropriate for the narrative structure. Performances: 3.5, strong performances. Production Design: Sets, Locations, Costumes, etc.: 3.5, production design great, iconic for the area and period feel of the storyline. But an Oscar consideration in hair & make-up, really??? What am I missing here? Would I recommend this movie to a friend? Of course, total movie comfort food! Sweden's Terms of Endearment or Forrest Gump or . . .

Things have gone on for too long and it must end, those who break your rules you just cannot defend, so it's time to say goodbye, join your lady in the sky, but even that's starting to drive you round the bend. But then a woman and her family appear, Parvanah scythes and cuts, through all of your past tears, helps to bring some perspective, and the courage to forgive, so when the time arrives there's nothing to be feared. A truly wonderful tale of a cantankerous old man who manages to fondly reflect on the lost love of his life while being inspired by a new neighbour who breaks his outer shell and reveals a generous and kind, larger than life heart. Great performances all round but especially from Rolf Lassgård, who is and will be forever unequalled, unmatched and peerless in the role.

I've watched A man called Otto (2023 movie) and then the day after i've watched this one (the original) and I dare to say that this one is better! Why? Because in this movie all makes sense, including why the main character likes or dislikes certain things (wont go in depth as I dont want to spoil it for you) but I highly recommend this movie even if you've seen the remake from 2023. The characters and actors are like one and I've felt that I was watching real life footage and not so much a movie on my laptop. This is 10/10 movie - no questions asked! Bear in mind that i've watched the movie with EN subtitles and still loved it!

This is a Swedish film based on the book of the same name. It is sent to represent the nation at the 2017 Oscars and as for now, it made into the December shortlist. This is the tale of an old grumpy man and the life after the death of his wife. That would be a toughest phase of life for anybody. I am sure you had seen many films like this, but this one was slightly different, yet totally convincing on every topic it focused on. So funny, at a time meaningful and emotional, particularly how the tale ends. In a small township, a 59 year old man called Ove lived most of his life and now he decides to take his life. But the attempt was prevented when a new lousy neighbour arrives and so it keep delays further. Now's the time to reveal all the reasons behind his dreadful decision with lots of flashbacks and current affairs. That he's a nightmare in his neigbourhood to those who break the rules. He's not a friendly type, because of his childhood and the lessons he learnt from his father to face the life as tough it gets. The only friend he ever had did not last for a long. His wife was his world and then the job at the railway. The narration given a good enough focus on his romance life. His younger version, played by another actor reveals particularly the initial stage like how he had met her. I don't know these actors, but they all were so good. A perfect setting as well for the story to take place. I think the filmmakers did lots of best decisions and in the end it all paid off with a greater recognition in the international level. "Honesty is the best thing, Ove. But sometimes honesty needs a little help." A heartwarming comedy-drama for all age groups. I was looking for such a film and I realised only after watching it. The character Ove was designed awesomely and all the story events built around him was excellent. Covered most of the topics like friendship, love, neighbours, job, moral values, even the pet animals. Loads of fun, guaranteed entertainment if you are seeking a comedy film. As Ove was portrayed very seriously, all his actions, especially the newly arrived woman make major difference to end the film most comedic way. The regularly visiting his wife's grave, the film beautifully gives an insight on the life of Ove being a widower and a retiree. But also how it all turns around for him who never laughs and finally he does, was the film's highlight. Like I always say, I'm not a book person, but I love watching films based on the good books like this one. An awesome adaptation and I hope those who loved the book, as well enjoyed the film. Usually all the good films run nearly or over two hours. Because of the slow and steady developments in its characters and the story. For this film, you won't notice the time. The pace of the narration, including the lovable characters and the storyline makes you forget everything else. In a few days the 89th American Academy Awards nominees will be announced and I am sure it will make. Looks like this year, three Scandinavian films going to make the noise at the Oscars. In the meantime, I hint you not to miss it, either it wins or lose, it is one of the best films of the year around the world. 8/10

Definitely one of the must-watch films of your life! This movie is definitely in the top 100 must watch films in the entire world. At least, it is for me. It's a simple story of what life has to bring and how one handles it. It makes you realize that there is a reason for everything. There is a reason why this person is happy, why that person is grumpy and why the world is how it is. We all have our stories. A man's true character is not measured by mere first impressions. It is through opening ones' book slowly, reading the story and being a part of it. There is nothing more I can say than, "Just see for yourself."

I did see the one man show with Johan Rheborg in the theater, so I knew what the story would be about, and Johan did a great job on the stage. The story itself is very moving and its about Ove try to manage life after his life partners death. He have his patterns and many people around him making these patterns hard to follow. I don't want to spoil the movie by saying to much, but i thing this is enough to get a grip of what the movie is about. I did have low expectation then many great books try to adapt to cinema and fail, and we have some great actors in Sweden, but many overrated actors also. This was the perfect cast and this movie moved me to many laughers and tears. I would go so far and say this is a top 3 of all the Swedish movies I seen in my 30 years. I could really recommend this movie to all viewers no matter how old you are or what kind of person you are.

A poor demonstration of a powerful novel JUST READ THE "BOOK"

I do have to say that I expected a bit more of this movie. It tells us the story of a rather grumpy old man that is isolated within his neighborhood and plans to bring his life to an end but is stopped by his own pedantry and a new set of people that bring a necessary chaos into his ritualized life. While the plot itself surely has potential, at the same time it is not something you have never heard or seen before. Movies love to show the warm heart in otherwise cold characters and elder people are always a good target for that because they already have more stories to be told to explain how their bitterness appeared. In this case, everything seems just a bit over the top. How every time he attempts to commit suicide something happens out of the blue is probably supposed to be of comical value but somehow just appears to be unrealistic. At the same time many of the characters seem a bit stereotypical or at least one-dimensional. It is a warm film though, with a warm message and it is never wrong to have some more of those. I did feel sympathy for this old man with his cat and his wife, and I did feel touched by their accident and so it surely makes some things wright. That it teaches tolerance, among cultures as well as along sexual orientations, is also a very positive point. All in all it is a warm film that doesn't harm anyone but the cold-hearted, but there are better similar ones existing.

En mann ved navn Ove (A man named Ove) is a Swedish-Norwegian co-production based on a success novel by the same name by Fredrik Backman, about a somewhat naive and grumpy man of 59, Ove. A railroad working man for 43 years missing his recently passed life companion and wife. Also being laid off at work, he decides to meet her again on the other side, and starts planning his suicide. But things don't seem to go his way this time either. In many ways this is a quite typical Swedish comedy drama where some small tragedy is mixed with life and a god portion of feel good. Easy yo love, and to some felt like it has a deeper mission and meaning. And it has, and the film is funny to some extent. When it comes to giving the a serious message, the film loses itself on the way, and becomes a story a bit too far fetched. If you don't take these too-far-fetched parts too serious, and with this the over exaggerated moral, this is a quite pleasant watch, though a bit too long for my taste. Rolf Lassgård, a classy Swedish actor, makes one of his best roles ever, being the exactly same age as Ove here, but is strangely enough made very strange in the make up, and seemingly much older than he is in real life. It's also strange that people around him is insensitive to this grumpy mans awful behavior. Being so unlovable, there is simply no reason why this man should get so much affection and trust. But, then again. This is pure fiction and entertainment. If you are able to see through this, you'll have a good time watching this tale of human relations and understanding.