A Man Called Ove (2016)

How sad is this?

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Blistering performances.

I can't make up my mind about this one's rating. The story provides absolutely nothing that hasn't been seen before. Quite the opposite, you'll only get exactly what you'd expect from a tale about lonely old grumpy man, warming up to his environment. But because it's well done and has charm, I'll add one point to the 6/10, that the script would actually deserve.

I saw this movie subtitled in English and I was disappointed in the inadequate transfer of the book of the same name to the screen. In the English translation of the book, the story captures the cultural and emotional nuances of Ove's relationships and interactions within his neighborhood. Ove is not only portrayed as cantankerous and intolerant, he is also a warm, tolerant and generous human being who is dealing with significant grief. The book covers his many relationships within his neighborhood in much detail and it is from these that we learn the warm side of Ove. Some of these more significant relationships (e.g. Jimmy)are brushed over in the movie and therefore don't build the richness that is evident in the book. I suppose it's always a big ask to capture in film what makes such a successful book as A Man Called Ove. However, it's not impossible (e.g. Last Orders by Graham Swift). These criticisms aside, Rolf Lassgard as Ove (senior) and Filip Berg as Ove (younger) give commendable performances, Bahar Pars as Parvaneh less so. I wanted more from this movie however it wasn't to be.

The movie is genius, with it containing the perfect combination of emotion and lighthearted wit into a plot that of which is quite depressing. The main character is a misunderstood character with a huge heart and emotional past, while the other characters are highly likable as well. I highly recommend watching this movie, for it will be a heart fulfilling experience that will make you both laugh and cry.

Well i had been so anticipating the release of this movie since i saw a poster for it at my art house cinema! in fact my heart stopped when i was in line trying to get tickets for another film because i just had finished reading the book for the second time because i loved it so much. So stop right there if you have read this book then i think you might be a little disappointed like myself. IF you have not read the book then i think yes you are going to love this movie .. because you really don't know what it entails right!! i always never see a film after i read a book because yes i have in my head already how the characters would be - hello harry potter fans!! - yet how could the Swedish mess this up!! maybe the nuances of the book cannot be translated to a 2 hour film but so much was missed out .... several of the characters essential to understanding ove's character are so underdeveloped how can we possibly really begin to understand!! jimmy and the yelling computer scene - why jimmy loves ove in the first place... it goes way back far and the daughters of parvanah - the youngest one is supposed to be two and is instrumental in melting away ove's facade!! and the older one and her need for a computer in the first place is totally missed out!! the reporter and the neighbours collaboration is skimmed over and where is the letter from the guy who has a seizure and is saved by ove at the train station!! what about mersid's father?? like i said so many nuances gone!! oh and the insurance agent - you do not really get to understand overs hatred for white shirts ..... i can go on but really do i need to!! reminder myself don't go see a film based on a book you truly love.