A Swedish film, En man som heter Ove, which in English is titled A Man Called Ove, is the perfect movie to watch this weekend to cheer you up, whether you're sad about Hurricane Harvey, worried about North Korean missiles, sick of the 45th president, or all of the above (2015, PG-13, Available on DVD and free on Amazon Prime Streaming). This movie is in Swedish with English subtitles.
Ove (pronounced oo-vay and portrayed by Rolf Lassgård) is a man alone. His beloved wife Sonia has died. He's being forced into retirement. He's the Grumpy Gus of his neighborhood, where he demands that everyone follow the rules.
He visits Sonia at the cemetery regularly, where he promises her he is going to join her. Ove then sets out to commit suicide, but what could be tragic turns comedic as one thing after another interrupts his attempts. The worst interruption of all is by his annoying new neighbors from Iran, who do nothing but cause him grief.
As the movie progresses, we see flashbacks to Ove's boyhood and his youthful romance with Sonia that help us to understand what kind of person he really is: a man with a heart of gold who goes to great lengths to help those in need in spite of the personal cost.
A Man Called Ove earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Highest Approval. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2017 Academy Awards and is based on the novel of the same name by Fredrik Bakman. I haven't read the book, but I certainly want to do so now. Its overarching theme is my favorite––the interconnectedness of humankind.
Happy viewing!
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I read (& very much enjoyed) the book. I don't want to ruin it by seeing the movie!!
ReplyDeleteI can understand that.
DeleteThe book was even better than the movie! I liked them both.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the book. So much that I bought another two of his novels (which I haven't yet read).
ReplyDeleteI hope you love those novels, too.
DeleteI put the book on my wish list - sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteI also have the book on my wish list.
DeleteThis sounds like a lovely movie. Must check it out.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
It made me happy.
DeleteI loved both the book and the movie! I just hope Americans don't screw it up and make an English version like they did with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
ReplyDeleteSince the Swedish version has been released in the U.S. and nominated for two Academy Awards, I hope somebody knows enough to say, If it ain't broke, don't fix it by making an American version (unless Ryan Gosling plays Ove).
DeleteComedic take is often tragedy that is ongoing to other people. A sort of mini-remove of the narrative eye. This story seems a classic.
ReplyDeleteOve tries to hang himself. At first I was appalled, but the attempts become more and more humorous until the rope breaks and Ove returns it to the store because it's defective.
DeleteGreat summation - now I must get my hands on the book.
ReplyDeleteIt's on Amazon and probably in bookstores. It was a bestseller.
DeleteA fellow blogger recently mentioned the book as being excellent. I guess I better put it on my list so I can watch the movie!
ReplyDeleteI guess you'd better, honey child.
DeleteSounds like an interesting movie.
ReplyDeleteYeah.
DeleteI had heard about this book/movie. Going to be hard on my eyes no matter which way I go, but the movie would take less time, so I will probably just see the movie. I had heard it was really good and now it has your vote of approval, too, so it should be worth the eye strain--LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't sleep one night, so I watched it at about 3 a.m. The subtitles were surprisingly easy to read, and Swedish isn't that difficult to understand.
DeleteHi Janie - I haven't heard of the film or the book - so thanks for bringing it to our attention ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI think you will like it, Hilary.
DeleteThis movie is excellent, heartwarming, intelligent, funny and sad. one of the best i saw this year
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you didn't like it, Birgit. Oh, wait. I looked up some of these big words, such as excellent, in the dictionary and figured out you do like it. What a relief. You know I don't have a very good grip on the English language.
DeleteI saw this on Amazon Prime, but I'd probably have to watch it alone if I did watch it. My wife doesn't like watching films with subtitles (which I would assume this one has). I've been watching a lot of films about old folks these days. Guess I'm starting to relate better to those films.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
No subtitles. You have to learn Swedish to watch it, which came naturally to me.
DeleteKidding. It has subtitles.
This was his second book that I read, and it was a true joy! I just finished a third one - Britt Marie was Here...This one still takes the cake...mmm...cake! Oh, excuse me-I didn't even know there was a movie (but I wont say that out loud because my husband probably told me)
ReplyDeleteCake? What kind?
DeleteI just read the book, based on a recommendation from Elephant's Child, and I was not disappointed. Then I realized I had recently read another of his books, "Beartown", which was excellent also, although quite a lot more serious. A wonderful author!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to learn about an excellent author whose work I've never read.
DeleteYou're speaking my language, Janie! Now if I could just get my blankety-blank Amazon Prime to stream right! And yes, all of the above!!! I just need a break that reaffirms my faith in humanity. Wishing you a weekend filled with laughter and comic relief!
ReplyDeleteMy Amazon Prime doesn't stream well, either! Sometimes I have to stop watching the movie, wait a while, and try again. I don't have that problem with Netflix Streaming.
DeleteTerry and I were tearing our hair out over stopping and waiting, waiting, waiting! We don't have Netflix ~ getting into enough trouble as it is! Have a great day tomorrow!
DeleteI'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has trouble with Amazon Streaming--but not glad that it's a problem at all. I want to research it to find out how common the stopping and starting is. Netflix works so well.
DeleteThe book is making the rounds at my school. I want to get to it some day, but I stupidly started Infinite Jest. It will be awhile.
ReplyDeleteHa! I've never read Infinite Jest. I keep thinking about it, but I'm afraid it would take the rest of my life to get through it.
DeleteI haven't read it yet, but it's on my to-read list. From what I've heard, it's an outstanding book. I'm glad to hear the movie is good, too,
ReplyDeleteHave a super weekend, dear lady.
Thank you, beloved one.
DeleteNever heard of the book or the movie
ReplyDeleteI know you don't usually watch movies, but I think you'd like this one.
DeleteI really must get Netflix again so I can watch movies like these. Years ago, when I had more time on my hands, I was fascinated with Sweden and tried to teach myself how to speak Swedish. It did not go well :/
ReplyDeleteI started learning Swedish once because we were supposed to be transferred to Sweden. The transfer didn't happen. I don't remember the little bit of Swedish I learned.
DeleteThis sounds like a fabulous movie Janie! I definitely want to watch it. Did you get it on Netflix? I'll have to look for it. I like that it's not completely sad with the suicidal overtones and that comedy plays a big role in it. I could use some comedy right about now...
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
I watched it on Amazon Prime streaming. It's not on Netflix streaming, but you can get the DVD from Netflix.
DeleteI didn't even know there was a movie! The book was excellent though.
ReplyDeleteI want to read the book. I have it on my wish list.
DeleteSounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteThis sounds like a lovely film, though I don't watch many with subtitles.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your opener: all of the above:)
Enjoy your weekend;)
All of the above for me, too.
DeleteLooks like a nice drama to sit and watch. I think there are a few international movies with great acting, and I don't mind subtitles either. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteIt's more of a dramady.
Delete