The Simple-Minded Murderer (1982)

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Two things...made me pursue this film and write about it. Stellan Skarsgard, young Stellan Skarsgard. The Title.Sven is poor, feeble minded young man, living with his mother in Swedish country making ends meat. Everyone regards him as village idiot and a fool, but what he can't show and verbally express (he's speaking with difficulty, mumbling words) he feels and in his mind vocalizes perfectly. This kind hearted fellow won't leave you cold if there's a shred of empathy left somewhere deep inside. His estranged sister whom he loves went away as young girl, and sickly mother soon dies. Sven is sent off to a cruel, wealthy landlord to sleep in a stable and do whatever crappy job is required of him, no fee, just food and lousy stable bench for bed.This is arty drama, which focuses on Sven's inner world and his life as opposed to cruelty of his "master" and the unjust world he lives in. However, he will meet some very nice people who kindly save him from humiliation and take him in. There he falls in love with the family's disabled daughter (I know, kind of an overkill there) and finally, the world looks like a good place for the first time to Sven.But, our unlucky protagonist was not meant for happiness, because things will go down for him and those around him pretty abruptly. This is not Swedish version of Forrest Gump, although it is sweeter and tad cornier than I'd hoped it would be. There is big social commentary, and no, not everyone will have equal rights and chance to fulfill their dream in this tale. Skarsgard is natural born actor, quite different here from his more mature and more popular roles, the body's thin and face lit, but crazy look in his eyes as a trademark is ever present. Marvelous actor.One distinct element that places Simple Minded Murderer into art film category are strange visions, righteous angels of light and vengeance whom Sven hallucinates about and are following him through some tough times and key moments.Beautiful film, gentle and mostly realistic with appropriate ending, which goes to show you can push the kind man only so far before he reaches his breaking point.

Den Enfaldige Mördaren deserves to be better known. It's a fabulous film directed by Hans Alfredson and stars Stellan Skarsgård in one of his most memorable performances as the hare-lipped young man Sven, who's considered retarded by his surroundings. He seeks consolation and spiritual strength in his faith and visions as his life becomes difficult and tormenting as a worker for the vicious local factory owner Höglund (played by Alfredson himself).Superbly played out in a slight retrospective manner, the film beholds a major heart. The emotional aspect is big as we witness Sven throughout the film; his childlike manners and his close relation to his guardian angels, the way he gets involved with the girl-next-door, and getting the opportunity to step up and being treated as an adult, receiving weekly salary and learning how to drive a motorcycle. It's a moving journey of a man who everyone around him seems to misunderstand and neglect. These bright and uplifting moments in the film works as a great counterbalance to the darkness it beholds, especially in the character of Höglund - he's first presented to us lurking into the stable where Sven sleeps among the animals, and he speaks violently and shows no affect for Sven, who's just lost his mother. Höglund treats Sven's sister as meat, shows no affection for his wife and kids, and uses gruesome actions to behold power in the local county.Den Enfaldige Mördaren is packed with symbolism and ideas, and it flows carelessly in place and time (we sense both the Middle Ages and something futuristic, and everything in between) and tells a tale a multi-layered tale, shuffling so many elements of humor, romance, spirituality, society's mangles, vengeance and adventure. It's a film that makes one enthusiastic about European cinema.

I've been looking to see this film again for about 20 years! I saw this in San Francisco during the 80's and was blown away. I was in my early 20's and loved watching foreign films (mainly Swedish, Italian and Australian at the time). This was one of those films that really sticks out in your mind...especially that it makes you sympathize with the main character and understand why he hallucinates angels. It should not be categorized as a comedy although there were very funny moments in it, I feel those moments were only there for comedic relief because the film was so heavy. It really made me cry and was extremely thought provoking. I'm so glad it's available on DVD now. I'm going to buy a copy right now.

"Den enfaldige mördaren" is without a doubt one of the best Swedish films ever made. It's a beautiful film, as well as a harrowing experience to watch. Stellan Skarsgård is magnificent in the role of Sven who is generally considered to be an idiot (because he is harelipped and he's therefore unable to speak clearly) -- even by his own sister Vera who is deeply ashamed of him. He gets a job at a factory owner's estate and is treated cruelly by that man (played by wonderful Hasse Alfredson, who also wrote the script and directed the film).The film is fairly episodic but it definitely works in this film and as Sven's life gets better and better the pace becomes more "fluent", so to speak, which is really brilliant. The cinematography's brilliant as well. This is truly a great accomplishment.