User Reviews

I was one of those eagerly waiting for the (belated) release of this movie when at last it arrived in 2010, and I was not disappointed. Now, four years later, I still find this story as fun and charming as I did then.

For better or worse, this is a rather typical Swedish romantic comedy, with a rather typical love story at its center, but that's no reason not to see it. There are quite a few twists and turns to this story and Magnusson has done a great job of portraying both the Swedish political climate as well as modern and older popular culture and the Swedish society. Especially interesting, I think, is how being an openly homosexual politician is treated as a non-issue: it poses no real threat to David's political career. Instead, it is David's own struggle with his newfound identity that stands in his way and prevents him from seeing what is best for him as a private person, rather than a public person. The comedy is not only in the jokes about the Swedish culture and political parties, but in the identity crisis and the re-discovering of one's self that David goes through, gorging on goat cheese and watching rented Beck-movies, that anyone can recognize, understand and laugh at. In laughing at David, we also laugh at ourselves.

To me, this movie is great. Fun, adorable and very spot on when it comes to the jokes. The acting is brilliant and I fall in love with David and Martin's love story over and over again, as I find it very believable and authentic. Mauro Scocco, while no favorite artist of mine, has provided the movie with an excellent soundtrack that can sadly never be fully translated into or justified in English, and there are several instances where not only the music but the lyrics carry the viewer from scene to scene, mood to mood, and it is beautiful.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of the reasons why I love this movie get lost in translation. The English subtitles fail to communicate even half of the small jokes and hints that get tossed back and forth between the actors, which makes the English translation fall utterly short of the, in Swedish, excellent dialog. A lot of the jokes, particularly those about the different Swedish political parties, makes little to no sense if you are not familiar with their ideologies or the common prejudices about them. While it might be comprehensible why a Social Democrat-Liberal relationship is the Swedish equivalent of Romeo & Juliet, I don't think it comes across why this should be a worse stigma than being a homosexual politician in Sweden – or maybe that's just me.

There are many things in this movie that a lot of people can relate to and enjoy, and to anyone who enjoys watching a realistic take on love and life, you should definitely watch it.

I really liked the premisse of the movie. It's awesome that it's in the core just a movie about two men falling in love. There are two strange things in this movie though. And one huge problem.

One is the way their relationship blows up. One of them is being seduced by an ex. The other sees this and thinks he is being cheated on, and leaves without letting know he saw this. The strange thing is that it seems no problem later on. Without it being clarified. But maybe I missed something.

The other strange point is about the sexless relationship between David and Fia. It's brought up by Fia and it was a surprise for David? Really?

And que the biphobia. And that's such a game changer! A movie about a minority not simply erasing another minority, but even having a lead character say "it doesn't exist". Martin saying this could be ok, but he's not challenged. Even though David says that not true, he hasitates.

Even more, it's followed up by the scene where we find out that David is in a sexless marriage and therefore is not bisexual. Making the words of Martin become reality. Making this the worst kind of erasure: erasing knowingly and actively. And the latter is discrimination.

This film provides a very different take on the effects of secret desire on public office in otherwise open minded Sweden and how it also affects the relationships of the individuals involved. A bold romantic comedy that pushes boundaries on several thematic levels, this i another brilliant gay themed Swedish film after Patrick 1,5 a few years ago.

David Holst has just lost the election he was slated to win. His good looks, political savvy, and humor made him the front-runner for the Prime Minister of Sweden, but his lead has suddenly taken a downfall. It is during this time of disappointment that he meets Martin in an elevator and falls head over heels in love. Despite his marriage to his closest co-worker, Fia, and his professed heterosexuality, David pursues a relationship with Martin only to find out that Martin is the Secretary of State for the political party that beat him in the recent election. He is very confused on what to do. He tries his best but cannot control his desire to be with Martin. He just cannot control it and their very meaningful and pleasant affair stars. But can the double whammy of not only falling for a man, but also a political opponent, ever allow the two to be together. They have a falling out when David feels that Martin is cheating on him. He decides to break up and comes out to his wife. After a series of events, the two men decide to give it another shot because they both think that they fit in so well with each other but this time also some misunderstanding happens. Finally when David gives in that he will be forever lonely, when Martin comes in one final time to get back together, David refuses despite wanting him so bad saying that he cannot be selfish and just think of himself. He needs to think of his party too. But thanks to Fia, sense prevails before major damage can be done and finally the lovers reunite.

The dialogues in the film are witty and the characters behave in ways that people find very comforting. There is a maturity in the interactions that you typically don't see in American film. I loved the interactions of both t he men when they visit David's parents. The overall story is very heart warming and its comedic tone is a nice compliment. Watching lot of bad films has given me some idea on how to appreciate a good film. The film gets a little preachy when there are too many discussions around politics but the comic tone helps to keep the check. I felt at a point that it is being stretched by that did not bother me too much. The best thing is that the 2 actors were chosen based on their characters. They are not averagely attractive but that suits the character who end up developing such a refreshing bond between them which is both sexual and friendly.

Highly recommended. It had love, mature romance, comedy and drama.

.....title of this Great little Swedish film (actually released as: "Four More Years")

(( RATING ADVISORY XXXX RATING ADVISORY: NC-90 / 18----No one under Age 90 will be allowed NOT to see this movie ))

A CAST OF CHARACTERS (by order of importance, naturally):

• David Holst (Our Guy) - (played by: Björn Kjellman) ---- He's our Starched & Proper Male Lead, a Swedish Liberal Party big-wig. We meet as he's attempting to win an election against the currently in-power Opposition Party Prime Minister. Already married for 12 years to a strong, strong woman who manages his career, Our David is, in reality, a "Lost Liberal" adrift in a marriage of convenience. More to the point, he is, EMOTIONALLY, this wee, shivery lamb of a guy who we just want to reach out for and enfold to our breasts. Anyway, Readers, perhaps his situation is not so bad as all that. For at the least, he is nice looking...pleasant in temperament...and usually in control---when not being yelled at. (Oh, and he wears great neckties). YET...yet, what he really, REALLY needs is simply to meet "That Person" who can show him what he has been missing for about 40 years of his life....and then introduce him to WHO he really is. -- (( An Aside for your viewing pleasure...I don't think "That Person" is too far off right about now )).

• Martin Kovac - (played by: Eric Ericson...how original) ---- Good Golly....he's here already: "That Person" I just mentioned to you. And in the very pleasing form of our Male Co-Lead....who is Hunky....who is Charming....and who is (Yikes!) "OUT". Oh, my...oh, my. But even worse for Our Guy is that the delightful Martin is (Gulp!) an Up-and-Comer in the Opposition Party...you remember, the one David is trying to defeat. Nevertheless, Martin is Cool...he's Fun...he's Smooth, and oh so easy to be with. Always sunny-tempered and as steadfast as the Rock of Gibraltar. He's just the kinda guy everybody gravitates to. An even better way to see him is as "That Person" who will become the Shepherd to David's Little Lost Lamb. -- (( Leaving Martin for now, I'll just say that, out of everyone, this is the Guy I REALLY fell for. You wait and see for yourselves....he makes it so easy to do )).

• Fia Holst - (played by: Tova Magnusson...our Director, herself -- Who is, apparently, a "Bi-Something" or other) ---- This character is a "Man of Steel" (oops....I mean "Woman of ....."). And, as David's wife, she is sometimes a little Bitchy (well, if you were in this kind of marriage, wouldn't you be?). Fia is just a no-holds-barred Gal who, despite some surface gruffness, will come to recognize and accept what is in her best interests and those of her (Our) Guy. Actually, toward film's end you will definitely see her getting exactly what is coming to her...what she deserves (I know this may sound "harsh"....but you'll probably be laughing your heads off anyway). -- (( Leaving Fia for now, let me just say, look closely...and you'll find she is working on a little Surprise of her own )).

• Mamma Holst - (played by: Inger Heyman) ---- A hard-as-nails Roofer (er...I mean Mother) who often calls her son, David, whatever-the-Swedish-word-for-Schmuck is. She pulls no punches when it comes to telling him what he SHOULD HAVE done.

• Barbro.."The Shocker" - (played by: Lisbeth Johansson) ---- Kudos by the Dozen to whoever was smart enough to put into the script, this priceless character and the words that come out of her mouth. In a scene shot at dawn, she is on her knees, peeking into and knocking on a small, ground level bedroom window....trying to grab the attention of our rudely awakened David....as he's attempting to keep her from seeing "That Person" in the bed he's just jumped from. Folks, this is an Hilarious...Almost-Caught-Red-Handed scene. You'll be falling off your seats laughing.

GENERAL THOUGHTS....PLUS SOME THINGS THIS FILM CAN TEACH YOU:

• And these 2 Hot Swedes are one of the cutest couples you'll ever run into (there's nothing Cold about Sweden)

• And did you know that wearing the wrong shoe size can lead to meeting (running into, actually) the Love of Your Life?

• And be wary of elevators....just one short ride with a certain "Someone"...and a person can become Smitten

• And what do you do when he's innocently standing there...spouting political parables? Why, you lean into...and kiss him, of course (Yummy)

• And this is a movie where you really get to find out what a guy might do to a Horny Baptist. So, like it or not....Take that!

• And when asking your Lover how many "Others" BEFORE you....ask only for a Ballpark Figure (saves Heartache)

• And have you EVER heard of "Punitive Wanking"? (Just think about it....Mustn't you punish yourself for having Impure Thoughts)

• And when you've caused a "Someone" to walk away.....That's when your heart feels Torn Out. Absolutely Wrenched from your chest!

• And, oh yes, there are Sad Moments....Misunderstanding Moments (BUT....don't you Folks out there dare give up on this)

• And now for My Final AND -- Bright RED...is the very best Color for these 2 Lovely Guys. Trust me...in the end, it is the color which will Warm Your Hearts!

TWO FINAL NOTES:

• The DVD Extras "Behind The Scenes" shots are not captioned. NEVERTHELESS, you can easily tell these 2 Leads are having a ball with one another between shots. Makes for a Good and Fun Production, doesn't it?

• (You'll never have guessed): I've fallen in love with this movie.....Well, these 2 Guys, actually....David & Martin. Indeed, it's hard not to go back and revisit them every few days.