Reviews

Although made by two brothers this lesbian film is a true pearl. There's a real story in and furthermore some great sceanes of lesbian love. However the film is a little funny it contains a lot of true lesbian life which is quite seldom to so.

Although probably a lot of men will enjoy the erotical scenes this is really lesbian film and more or less all lesbians love this film.

It is truly something of a film made by men and if you haven't seen it yet, go and see it for it's really worthwhile.

We all more or less know that english films just have the "thing". And this film is no exception. With that many fabolous actors and actrosses this simply is one fantastic film. A film you can see over and over again and still be amused in that particular english way.

This film could never have been made in the US (sorry overthere!) since the humour is so english and indeed so great.

All who are playing a role in this film plays it greatly; all knows their role 100% and there's absolutely no "mistakes" or blunders in this film.

A film like this one is a film one will not forget; a film one will have to own a watch now and then for it is impossible not to laugh of that special and indeed wonderful english humour.

It's standing here on my video shelf and I'll definately be watching it several times a year; you should too...

First time I saw this film I was somehow a bit suspicious since the plot seemed to be somewhat stupid. However, when I then watched it I changed my mind very fast.

With three great people playing the mainroles it is a great film and although it's, what I call a "sunday-cosy film" it does indeed also contain some depth.

Furthermore I personally feel that the three mainroles are played in a most great way; they're convincing in their roles and - Demi Moore is of course always a pleasure to watch as is also Robert Redford.

All in all I like the plot, the acting and it is, I feel, a film one can watch more than one time so rent it and you'll hopefully not be dissapointed.

This film is one of those you will always keep in the back of your mind. Ghita Nørby and Frits Helmuth have indeed played together many times but this is one of the best.

It's dealing with mourning and death, being together and in love for a whole lifetime and with a tremendously sad ending. In this film we're faced with lives catastrophies at the same time as we see a true and lifelong love.

A marriage with its ups and downs but a couple who are always together in safety.

As a film it is really sad mainly because it seems so real; that it could happpen to anyone. Another thing which makes this film great is that it portraits totally normal danish life; nothing fancy or spectacular, we're just shown a couple who've been together for everso many years and at the end of it all we see how utterly difficult it is to part.

A film that definately is worthwhile watching since it gives one something to think about. As we know Martha Christensen really can make tragedies but never over the line. She indeed touches peoples souls and I wonder if that isn't also the meaning.

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.

It seems that it's much easier to get films about this subject in the US than here in Europe but surprisingly enough I managed to get the film (although with no subtitles..).

The film, which is based on a true story, is scary in everso many ways. One can wonder what kind of army system the US has, and condones, since such a story is possible. I mean, the most frightning is that it's a real story about an immensely skillful woman who've served the army for everso long and just for the fact that she is honest telling that she is a lesbian she is not only investigated in all possible way but also fired in the most humiliating way being placed in front of the military court having to defend her feelings!!

If this is not utterly grotesque then nothing is! The film also shows what a bureauctic system the US army seems to have and it's even shown as "normal". Think having to feel ashamed because of ones feelings; so badly that if effected her career and indeed her honour. A woman who'd done everything for her country, a well-respected woman by her peers and then just because of the fact that she shows out to be a lesbian everything is destroyed.

Glenn Close plays the role really convincing as she always does and applauses to her for "daring" to play such a role which definately isn't according to the taste of many Americans.

I have to admit that although I'm a great great fan of Barbra Streisand (having seen all her films) I unfortunately hadn't before this month the chance to watch this particular film.

First of all there's always the problem what one wants; to read the book or watch the film but since I then didn't own the book I had to see the film and indeed it made a huge impression on my. The cinematography and casting is superb and now after having read the book I realize that although a lot is left out in the film it wouldn't have been possible to include all the details of the book in the film.

Although it's a typical "Hollywood" film it has a deep sense of beaty and tragedy and I do believe that the film includes the most essential parts of the book in its own right. Of course we don't for instance hear a bit about the great grandmother and her life, nor her biblical husbond and certain parts of the book are changed in the film.

However it's a film that makes sense; tragedy, love and the southern way mixed in a very particular way and that especially is what, from my point of view, makes the film great. It's not just a funny or boring one, it really has something to tell all of us.

I do also feel that it shows the southern way of life in a very true manner although it can be strange compared to other places in the US we really here get to see what the southern parts of US is all about.

Barbra Streisand also in this film, as in all other ones where she appaears, is great; that lady really has talent and she knows it! Being a fabolous singer and a fabolus actress at the same time is quite somethng so again...bravo Barbra you're one of the absolutely best actresses.

Where to begin telling about this film? Throwing imaginary roses to Kaurismäki who has yet again showed all what a fantastic creator of films he really is?.

No one can as he describe Finnish culture in such a deep and sensitive, yet rough, way. He touches the string of our culture, our way of thinking and behaving in this special "silent" way as only he masters. In his films talking isn't done by words only but surely there's plenty of communication!

This film is beyond doubt my personal favorite (also the lastest film by Kaurismäki, Mies Ilman Menneisyyttä, is totally fabulous!!) because there's not much dialogue (which we Finns aren't too keen of somehow) but there's plenty of meaning, plenty of human tragedy (which we also seem to be fond of!) and also a hint from Kaurismäki himself that certain things maybe could be different but all in all everything comes down to the quetion of culture and indeed Finnish culture is different from most other cultures especially in Scandinavia.

Finns are often perceived as totally without oral skills almost not being able to talk however this is a fatal mistake to believe in. Finns just don't say anything if it's not necessary!! Why babble with no reason, why chat if it's not necessary..that's also why such a thing as the international wellknown concept of smalltalk is practically unknown here in Finland. It makes most Finns feel uneasy to talk if there's nothing real to talk about. But don't make the conclusion that Finns don't have feelings (even very deep ones!) and thoughts; that would be a fatal mistake. Finns are in everso many ways such a serious people that for most foreigners it looks like there's some sort of national depression going on but on the other hand when Finns party then they really party...

Life here in Finland is simple although also hypermodern; it's two "worlds" living side by side and exactly this fact can be difficult for anyone from outside Finland to comprehend because it seems so weird, almost even awkward. What makes a Finn happy...well, a little wooden house by the lake to go to in the summer, your own sauna (which there's plenty of here), a long and everlasting relationship and a cosy home...nothing fancy is high on the list of finnish "dreams of happiness"..maybe it sounded as I would generalize but sometimes it's necessary to make your point of view clear to "foreigners" who've never visited Finland.

The film itself shows a lot of how Finland still is...what things are all about; it contains strong emotions although it might not seem so at first. To some the film might even seem boring but beyond all those visible things there's a whole world of unsaid and in this particular film also undone things. In a stange way it contains as well the deepest seriousness as humour even though it is quite invisible to the eye. And however strange it may sound the film contains also love and deep passion; the scene where "Satumaa" is being played (just before Iris is picked up by the police) says it all! That's concequence, justice, love and real passion all in one small scene.

Maybe one needs to be a Finn (or a true Fennofile) to get something real out of watching this film but indeed it is worthwhile and if you're gonna buy it do please buy it on DVD because if you like it (and you definately will) a VHS won't last for that many replays...

So watch it and get wiser on Finnish culture; I give it all the stars possible, it really is a masterpiece of the very rare. It really is a film with a meaning and it surely has a message to all of us.

Yet again "Bravo Kaurismäki" for placing Finland on the filmic worldmap...

Although not being an American we here in Europe also know about racism and the crises between black and white people in the US and maybe especially in the southern part of the country. However I found this film immencely beautiful showing the growing affection between two people (Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy) coming from such different cultures.

It was so great to watch that it truly is possible for two so different people to bond in such a strong and loving/respectful way as we witness in this film.

Of course it's a true Hollywood-type of film but anyhow it really got my personal respect and the way the story developed was also quite remarkable. From the beginning where Jessica Tandy will not accept a black driver till years and years after where they really become close to one another although still knowing their particular place in the household.

It is a beautiful film in that way that it really shows us that it is possible that we all, if we make an effort, can learn to live side by side without hatred. And then the then old (now no longer among us) Jessica Tandy plays her role of her lifetime with such a dignity that only a truly talented actress can do. An actress of the "old school"..

Absolutely worthwhile watching although many people may find it boring (since it's not an action film) but it has a story to tell and that indeed makes it a good film.

It's not many years ago I watched this film for the first time. Had to admit that before watching it I was a bit skeptical, I thought it would be just one of those boring hyper-romantic films but....

Finally when I got the chance to watch it I was breathtaken! This film is simply a masterpiece of a time that, unfortunately, is long gone. A time where love could last a lifetime and still be beautiful at the end of life. How many of those films are made today in this hasty divorce filled time? Not many I'd say!

It was such a beautiful experience to watch this film and in a strange way it made me also sad. Mainly because today's world isn't like that anymore for how many people can stay in love and care for eachother after 50 years? The theme of everlasting love, knowing eachothers habits through a whole life is really something very very special.

The roles as the elderly couple were also played with such an honesty that it was amazing and the music plus the landscape and the actual calmness of the film makes it into a film that won't ever be forgotten; at least it shouldn't be!

Of course it's romantic but it's also realistic and that's what makes it different from other socalled romantic films. There's a catch in it and there's something to think about too!

The beauty of these two old people and their relationship is something I believe many people will envy. Having been together for half a century and still being so much in love as the film shows.

A film that ought to be seen by people who still dare to believe in lifelong love and for those who don't - forget about it then you'll just waste your time or think "jee, that's ridiculous"...

Let's not spend time telling about the "plot" but rather just tell that this film is one of the best and yet also most grotesque films ever made and then it's even authentic which I find excessively frightening. The story is told in such a remarkable way that if anyone can watch it without feeling deeply ashamed on behalf of humanity then they haven't understand the film at all. Personally I cried...

What is the worst, I feel, is that not so many things have changed since; we're still not accepting "different" people we've just become more subtle in our ways of showing it. Although there's no circuses anymore where you can see "monster humans" that doesn't change the fact that if the Elephant Man would live today his life wouldn't be a bit better than then. Maybe materially but he'd still be subjected to redicule and disgust. So that's how "far" we've devoloped since them!!

Watch it and think about it; that would be worth your time as it also was worth mine. It a kind of film that will make an eternal impression.

If you're looking for at tv-version of Danish history from late twenties to late fourties this is THE ONE. Never ever has anything been shown on Danish TV with this kind of appeal to all sorts of people. No matter the social background one may have this series appeals to everyone.

With a truly remarkable casting of practically all Danish actors worthwhile mentioning the storyline is proven extremely strong as it is emphazied by the fabulous acting of all actors and actresses of which many now, unfortunately, are dead.

It has a true unique feature which most of well-known tv-series don't have; you can watch it again and again for each time you'll discover new things. For any Dane this is a fundamental part to understanding the history of a time which may be long gone but never will be forgotten.

Matador is now out on DVA and although relatively expensive (app.2500 dkr for the whole series/24 parts) it is an investment that any Danish family should consider.

A series that unites generations and definately something that will last and last...

Funnily enough this isn't what I personally would call great art..however it has "it" which makes it relevant to almost anyone, at least any Dane. Its portraiting the life of a couple, Nicolaj & Julie, and their very daily-life problems, it hardly could be shown in a better way since exactly the daily-life is the kind of life most anyone can recognize. No fancy jobs, cars or luxury but simple and pure life as liven by most people in Denmark 2002/2003.

It's never boring and you never totally know what will happen:as well as it has it moments of utter love and happiness we're also shown angst and sadness. Themes, to mention a few, include: love, seperation, parenthood,infidelity, desire i.e. whatever is part of most peoples lives of today - of course on a more or less frequent basis.

Last but not least there's plenty of humour in the series too and when shown (it has now summer 2003 a "holiday") the streets were empty as we've only seen a few times before (e.g. when Rejseholdet and Matador were on TV) and surely the coffeebreak subject on the following day was Nicolaj & Julie.

A cosy (hyggelig) series that could "risk" to become a rather important part of danish tv history and absolutely worthwhile viewing.

Whilst many people may not comprehend this film or even the idea of it, it is, pardon my subjectivity, quite simply a masterpiece which only can be compared to some of the greatest films ever made.

If you're looking for action or even an apparent meaning/storyline in a film maybe you shouldn't watch this one for then you'll get sadly disappointed.

The film itself is made in black and white which also places great emphazis on the storyline itself; actually it's quite seldomly seen that a film benefits from the b/w effect but this surely does.

The story isn't just the ordinary "he says this and she replies that". It has a true depth, a meaning, that you'll have to be ready to understand before you even consider watching it. It's not just a film you would want to watch when your friends come over for coffee!

As mentioned it doesn't have an apparent meaning, - at first!.

However as the film and thus the storyline reveals itself we're taken into a world of one single mans incomprehensible pain and agony all beginning when he loses as well his wife and newly born child. We follow him and his mental state of mind through more than 70 yrs.

The film itself shows a man in apparent decay as well mental as physical but at the end we may come to the conclusion that he actually was "the normal one" in this film compared to those who surround him; for instance the psychiatrist of the nursing home he ends up at (greatly played by danish filmdiva Gitta Nørby) who directly says that after 40 yrs. of having treated him she simply hates him.

We also follow the other people around him in the village where he lived. A village of simple but good people who somehow just showed out not being able to cope with a man in that deep agony and "welt-schmertz"; even the local pastor gives up. To them he is just a lunatic.

An interesting feature of this film is also that it makes us consider how we ourselves would have reacted being for instance bystanders to such a tragedy as the one depicted. Would we have done something; are are we the ones pointing fingers at the local people as we watch this film?

It's not a film with a lot of dialogue but that is indeed the art of this film; it simply doesn't need more words.

As such I wouldn't personally name it as an experimental film or even an intellectual one but it's simply different. It's not a "Blockbuster hit" and it's definately never meant to be. It's a film in its own right, a pearl which could be one of the very few "real" films we find in the world of today. The only films in the same genre with the same "realness" are the films of Aki Kaurismäki which are, from my point of view, what film is all about.

There's naturally one annoying thing for our english speaking audience; you cannot see it without subtitles since it's in Danish which of course limits the amount of people who could be interested in watching such a film. That however is the same with most other films made in what english speaking people seem to call as "foreign languaged" films. One can wonder that the same people apparently never consider that we "foreign people" continuously are surrounded by the english language. ;-)

But back to the film. Indeed it demands a lot of the viewer but if you take the time and bother to watch it it's worthwhile to watch and one thing is for sure;if you've watch it you will definately never forget it.

If you have any interest whatsoever in lesbian lives as they really have been and still are lived this is THE documentary to see.

No doubt that we have to salute those women who "dared" to show their faces on screen in this documentary; it's not anything we are used to at least not outside the North America.

Even though the woman portraited are, of course, living in North America it is still a fabulous documentary, actually quite breathtaking in all its "naturalness".

Also spiced with a bit of "filmic erotica" I feel is it a necessity to watch for any lesbian woman.

Bravo to those who came up with the idea and bravo for the woman who dared all along!

However old and seemingly oldfashioned too this film appears it truly is a must-see for anyone interested in Martin Andersen Nexø and his socialrealism which fully shows in this particular film.

Andersen Nexø uses all possible means to make the viewer aware of the true tragedy which goes on right under our noses without we act in any kind of way.

Ditte Menneskebare is but on a Andersen Nexø's masterpieces but Tove Mäes plays Ditte very convincing and the rest of the cast is also very convincing and the films is indeed "true to it's time".

Tragedy never gets "oldfashiond" neither ought Ditte Menneskebarn to since it is a film portraiting life then and, sadly enough, attitudes also of today.