At the centre of the film is a middle-aged couple, Anja (Andrea Bræin Hovig) and Tomas (Stellan Skarsgård) who had lived together in 20 years. The crisis develops when a mortal brain metastasis is detected in Anja. Up to this point, they got children together but both had lived independent lives on their own. Anja had been a successful ballet dancer and had felt she had taken the responsibility for the children herself while Tomas' energy had been occupied by his role as a leader of a theatre. Several times Anja had been on her way to separate from Tomas while Tomas said that he always wanted to stay with Anja. Thus, their relationship did not seem to have been much alive. When Anja got her death sentence the core of their relationship was unveiled. For Tomas that was apparent not in is words but in his gaze on Anja. Neither was Tomas grief expressed in words but instead in his gaze on Anja. So their deep love was apparent. Due to the excellent performance of Anja and Tomas, I as a viewer I was able to sense their true relationship.
5 Reviews
Dying, decorously, off stage
rebeccat-378656 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Anja is, apparently, terminally ill from a brain tumour that metastasised from lung cancer. It would be hard to tell, since she suffers so lightly and with such great artistic depth. She claims to be greatly nauseous from the treatments, yet never does she deign to vomit. Viewers who have experience of this appalling disease will find it difficult to identify with the wealthy, comfortable way of dying represented here. Anja has immediate access by telephone and in person to the best surgeons in Norway. No doubt every other cancer patient has, too.
While the acting is first rate - the uneasy relationship between Anja and her partner Tomas (22 years older, if the actors' ages are taken) is portrayed fairly successfully - the insulated lifestyle they and their family enjoy is never interrogated, just taken for granted. At the end, one would never have thought Tomas and Anja's relationship was anything other than perfect. And, naturally, it's a fade to black before Anja, head still strangely unshaven, is wheeled into the operating theatre for her life-extending procedure.
Only the wealthy can afford to suffer so elegantly.
While the acting is first rate - the uneasy relationship between Anja and her partner Tomas (22 years older, if the actors' ages are taken) is portrayed fairly successfully - the insulated lifestyle they and their family enjoy is never interrogated, just taken for granted. At the end, one would never have thought Tomas and Anja's relationship was anything other than perfect. And, naturally, it's a fade to black before Anja, head still strangely unshaven, is wheeled into the operating theatre for her life-extending procedure.
Only the wealthy can afford to suffer so elegantly.
Inside people heads on full display
bkengland-163-30274118 December 2021
Something significant I appreciated about this film was how we could see into what the individuals were thinking and feeling through their actions. The actions themselves can often seem misguided or off target until you, the viewer, consider what led to the particular outbreak while trusting the filmmakers knew precisely what they were doing.
For example, the wife would lash out at the husband for falling short in various ways, all the while we see him being a caring husband and father. In a way, her being able to express herself to him in this manner showed evidence of a safely zone between them; this is, that she could do this demonstrated she could be confident he would have some sense of where it was coming from, and that she would know that he knew. How familiar to those of us who have experienced such relationship characteristics, in ourselves and in others! One success of this film is its ability to tap artfully into the familiar like this.
For example, the wife would lash out at the husband for falling short in various ways, all the while we see him being a caring husband and father. In a way, her being able to express herself to him in this manner showed evidence of a safely zone between them; this is, that she could do this demonstrated she could be confident he would have some sense of where it was coming from, and that she would know that he knew. How familiar to those of us who have experienced such relationship characteristics, in ourselves and in others! One success of this film is its ability to tap artfully into the familiar like this.
A Swedish Masterpiece
Alexander_Blanchett24 February 2020
A truely great and emotional movie. Excellently written and directed. From the first Minute you get captured by the characters and care for their fate. The film challenges its audience with many Questions and you Keep thinking how you would react or behave in those certain situations. The acting is stellar. Andrea Braein Hovig is absolutely fantastic and owns the film on her shoulders. She gets fantastic support by Stellan Skarsgard whose Performance works best through his silent Moments. Definitely a film that keeps you on the Edge of your seat for the whole 2 Hours. A Little Swedish masterpiece that hopefully get wider Attention in the future, because it deserves it.
Little sidenote, the film is half way autobiographical what gives it an even more Special touch.
Subtle, well written and well acted
martinpersson974 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This incredible, artisic, and highly emotional, drama, is definitely worthy of recognition, and yet another great testament to this incredible director, and the provice of Nordic films.
The actors all do an incredible job, it is very raw, very subtle and very human. It all feels immensely real indeed, and deals with some tragic and real struggle in interesting and ever appreciated ways. Very nuanced, very subtle, and stellar writing, excellent pacing - a bit on the unconventional side.
The cinematography, cutting and editing is stellar, and the film is overall very beautifully put together.
Overall, definitely an incredible drama, that I would highly recommend for any lover of film!
The actors all do an incredible job, it is very raw, very subtle and very human. It all feels immensely real indeed, and deals with some tragic and real struggle in interesting and ever appreciated ways. Very nuanced, very subtle, and stellar writing, excellent pacing - a bit on the unconventional side.
The cinematography, cutting and editing is stellar, and the film is overall very beautifully put together.
Overall, definitely an incredible drama, that I would highly recommend for any lover of film!
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