Elling
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Movie Reviews of Elling
Movie Review: Funny & Charming Norwegian Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I doubt many North Americans know about this Norwegian film, and that's a shame, if true. I've watched it three times and been very entertained by it. One warning for those inspired to check this out: the first half hour can be a bit boring, but stick with it and you'll be rewarded with a very funny, charming film.
The story centers around two guys who are released out of a state mental hospital and given an apartment to live in (with a probation-type officer keeping tabs on how they're adjusting.) At first, it's tough as they guys are kind of clueless on how to do things on their own, particularly "mama's boy" Elling who is even afraid to use a telephone. His roommate is a big oaf whose main concern in life is to have sex with a woman.
In time, these guys learn nicely how to adjust. Even better, they make a friend or two and help those people with their problems. That's where the charm of the film comes in. Most of the humor is provided by "Elling," who narrates the film with some wonderful dry humor. At first, his whining gets annoying but after he calms down in his new surroundings, he's fun. His roommate winds up as a straight man for his jokes. The roommate, "Kjell Bjarne," is a big help to everyone including a pregnant, abandoned lady. He's an oaf, but one with a big heart.
This is really different and nice story. It's not for kids with a dozen or so s and f- words, but kids wouldn't like this film anyway. The movie will leave the rest of you with a smile on your face.
Movie Review: A feel good movie about friends
Summary: 5 Stars
Elling is a funny and at times touching film set in Oslo, Norway. It follows the lives of two friends Elling and Kjell Bjarne as they try to adjust to a normal life after having spent two years together in a mental institution as roomies. Elling and Kjell Bjarne are so unalike Elling is the knowledgably, sophisticated and weedy looking one and while Kjell Bjarne is more of a brute prone to angry outbursts. Elling is interested in poetry while Kjell Bjarne is more interested in sex. They are given an opportunity to show that they can cope on their own when the state decides to give them an apartment and a social worker (Frank). In the beginning even the simplest things like shopping or answering the phone are obstacles they must learn to overcome. There are some serious moments but on the whole the film is very upbeat. You find yourself rooting for Elling and Kjell Bjarne hoping that the friendship they have built doesn't come tumbling down as they each make new friends and are drawn in differing directions. It's a touching movie with laughs and a few tugged heartstrings. There is a moment at the end of the movie that has you more than hoping for an upbeat ending.
Don't let the fact that Elling a foreign film put you off. The film still gives you the full gambit of emotions without you having to understand a word of Norwegian. The film comes with easy to read subtitles and a story line that's easy to follow.
Movie Review: Funny & Warm in a most deviant way...
Summary: 5 Stars
When Elling's mother dies he is sent to an institution where he becomes roommates with the delayed virgin Kjell Bjarne, who is mesmerized by women. At the institution Elling is telling Kjell stories about his "escapades" in the Carribean and other exotic places and they eventually become good friends. Two years later, these two 40 year olds are sent to Oslo where they meet Frank Åsli, their social worker, who is going to check up on them and see if they are capable of living a normal life. However, Elling suffers from severe xenophobia and gets anxiety attacks from the sounds of the telephone. When Frank notices that they do not answer the phone when he calls, he gets annoyed and begins to force Elling to answer the phone in his presence when no one is calling. This is a huge task for Elling, but also a beginning for a new life for the two of them. Elling was nominated for an Oscar in 2002 for Best Foreign Language Film and has received many other awards. However, what makes the film shine is the brilliant acting as well as the humane story. In the end, the audience is left with a very warm and sensitive comedy that will cause laughter, tears, and pondering in a most inspirational manner.Movie Review: The best norwegian movie ever made
Summary: 5 Stars
In Norway we have this classic phrase: "Good, for a norwegian movie". This can be said about many norwegian movies, but not "Elling". "Elling" is a great movie no matter who you are or where you're from. The "odd-couple"-genre is almost the only film-genre that works great regardless of nationality, and "Elling" is no exception. This movie is about two "troubled" middle-aged men: Elling & Kjell-Bjarne. They are both virgins and one of them (Elling) has been living with his mother his entire life (until her death), and thus is the more "academic" of the two (Kjell-Bjarne is the complete opposite). The norwegian government has decided that these two weirdos are ripe for moving from the mental institution they have been living the past few years, to an apartment at "Majorstua" right in the middle of the norwegian capital, Oslo(!) This is the beginning of a great and challenging adventure for Elling & Kjell-Bjarne. A totally charming and funny movie. Maybe I'm biased because I'm norwegian (I even walk by "Majorstua" almost every day), but I think you will enjoy it no matter where you are from. Even the soundtrack is great. Highly recommended.Movie Review: A charming movie with some great performances
Summary: 5 Stars
This Norwegian film tells the story of two not-right-in-the-head men who meet at the state institution where Elling has been sent following his mother's death. Elling is basically agoraphobic -- had spent all forty years of his life at home with his mother. Kjell is a big, imposing man with a strong interest in sex but a childish mind and personality. The two become friends so when the authorities decide to try to move them into the community, they are set up as room-mates in a state-sponsored apartment. Elling is afraid to leave the apartment and neither can answer a telephone. The social worker assigned to their case pushes them to grow (like leaving the apartment and answering the phone) and gradually they start to function in their own odd way.
This movie is quite funny in parts. It would be easy to make a Hallmark kind of sweet, sentimental movie with this plot, but it isn't. It has a sharper edge than that.
The performances by the two leads are amazing. I found myself wanting to see them in other movies or in an off-screen mode, since it was hard to believe that this was acting and not real people.