Living in close proximity to Sweden I could easily recognize the culture of this film. The plot has already been described so it's just to say that it's about two schoolgirls falling in love. That in itself is quite normal and indeed this film does a great job in making the first real love into something beautiful, although our two characters, Agnes and Elin, turns out to be lesbians which still is quite a problem in such a small town as Åmål.
As the film developes you'll realize that it seems almost like a documentary; it's so real in all possible ways and indeed also in showing how difficult it is to be a teenager as well in a small town and also being "different". It shows that although you have all odds against you it is possible in the end to find some sort of happiness, even as a youngster without much experience of real grown-up life.
I wouldn't exactly call it a "lesbian" film although the theme is of a lesbian nature but the age of the main characters prevents the film from being "truly" lesbian (like for instance "Bound", "Lianna", etc.).
We're not really told anything whether this "lesbian" thing is just a fling or not as it seems that it's only Agnes who potentially are a "true lesbian" (sorry my expression) since Elin has been dating so many boys which doesn't exactly qualify her as a lesbian.
Occasionly in the film there's real moments of seriousness but then they dissapear again. It's a bit like the film itself can't "decide" whether to have a serious theme (different love) or just being funny.
However, I really like this film because it's a cute and tender, but also a tough, way of showing how difficult it can be to live in a small and not so accepting community in Sweden.
So watch it and maybe you'll also like it too as I did.
As the film developes you'll realize that it seems almost like a documentary; it's so real in all possible ways and indeed also in showing how difficult it is to be a teenager as well in a small town and also being "different". It shows that although you have all odds against you it is possible in the end to find some sort of happiness, even as a youngster without much experience of real grown-up life.
I wouldn't exactly call it a "lesbian" film although the theme is of a lesbian nature but the age of the main characters prevents the film from being "truly" lesbian (like for instance "Bound", "Lianna", etc.).
We're not really told anything whether this "lesbian" thing is just a fling or not as it seems that it's only Agnes who potentially are a "true lesbian" (sorry my expression) since Elin has been dating so many boys which doesn't exactly qualify her as a lesbian.
Occasionly in the film there's real moments of seriousness but then they dissapear again. It's a bit like the film itself can't "decide" whether to have a serious theme (different love) or just being funny.
However, I really like this film because it's a cute and tender, but also a tough, way of showing how difficult it can be to live in a small and not so accepting community in Sweden.
So watch it and maybe you'll also like it too as I did.