Fredrik Backman comes up with another worthy read

Fredrik Backman is a favorite author and I go for his books even when the description does not fit my normal reading.  He has proved to be worth the effort.  As the last words of his acknowledgements "Telling stories is the only time I really feel like myself.  Thanks for following along."

This story seems to begin when a 17 year old independent girl comes across an apparently homeless man who is about to die.  Another man approaches and assures the man he got the painting.  In the short time Louisa is known she makes such a strong impression that his last request is to give the painting to her.  There is a little back story of Louisa and lot about the painting and four friends.

There were four 14 year old friends that enjoyed each other so much despite some differences.  They offer the view of some youngsters who mostly do not know what they want out of life.

 There is a lot of humor, but also references to dying and the dead.  The dialogue is clever.  The plot is about a lot of back stories plus the adventures of the painting and Louisa.  There are interesting views on the art world and subtleties. 

There are lots of interesting thoughts, but I picked out three quotes that had some meaning for me. 

"Surely taking life for granted is the whole point of being here."

"My friend, all opera, all about love."  Reminded me how I came to love opera.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/06/why-i-love-opera-wayne-gretzky.html

"It's art that helps me cope.  Because art is a fragile magic, like love, and that's humanity's only defense against death."

Fredrik Backman hails from Sweden, but his books are found in over 40 countries.  He writes about a variety of topics and setups.  Highly recommend all his books.

 Here are some previous posts, but the first one is of a movie he inspired.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html 

 http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/anxious-people-by-fredrik-backman.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/11/the-winners.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/08/us-against-you.html 

Us Against You

 This is a bit of an awkward selection.  I didn't realize Fredrik Backman had written a book between two favorites, "Beartown" and "Winners" on the same topic of a hockey team in northern Sweden.  If you are not a hockey fan you might be put off by the topic, but if you really enjoy character and relationship development you would be a loser.  Politics plays a surprising or not role.  As one manipulative character explains, "Everything is political.  Everyone needs allies."

Fredrik Backman is perhaps best known for "A Man Called Ove" which was made into a Swedish movie of the same name and more recently an American movie called "A Man Called Otto" starring Tom Hanks.  Another book made into a tv. series was "Anxious People." 

The repercussions of the rape of the coach's daughter related in the first book plays out further.  To add to the social turmoil gay bashing is recounted from which one quote is worth remembering:  "They've <most of us> lived their whole life assuming it was something you could tell about a person at first glance.  But you <a central character> were...like them."

A lot happened between the first and the third book.  Some new characters were introduced that carry on to the third book.  There are some deaths.  The relationships that we were made aware of progress with circumstances.

A female coach does not fit any stereotypes.

Sponsorship played a bigger role between two rival nearby teams and also a foreign player with their own agenda.  

I have read a few other of Backman's books and seen a movie.   I highly recommend this series, but suggest read it in proper sequence as developing relationships are very key.  Start with "Beartown" then move onto "Us Against You" and finish up with "The Winners".  Personally I would like to read another sequel.

I spent two years in a small rural town where hockey was king.  One of my classmates made it to the NHL.  Track and basketball were my sports and I did very well at the local high school, but those sports didn't attract the crowds or interest generated by hockey.  As for me, hockey was the Saturday nite entertainment and I attended most games.  Elsewhere I have mentioned meeting hockey celebrities like Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe and sharing a common influencer with Wayne Gretsky.  My sports preference is for basketball and increasingly soccer.

Other blogs for Fredrik Backman

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/anxious-people-by-fredrik-backman.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/11/the-winners.html

Swedish Classic remade as "A Man Named Named Otto

 Tom Hanks is a well respected film maker and was smart enough to remake an enjoyable Swedish film, "A Man Called Ove" (2015).  Remakes are tested and generally able to find an audience.   The Americans do a great job, even updating a few elements and adapting to the American market.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html  Film makers are anxious to get us back into theatres where they can display their talent and technology.  They still raise the needle of our enjoyment.

The basic story is about a grumpy old man who is distraught over his wife's death.  He calls most of his acquaintances "idiots".  His new neighbors including an immigrant woman and her native husband are annoying and they get off on the wrong foot.  But the immigrant is persistent and gives him some of her native food as a gift.  He ignore the gift for awhile, but gives into his hunger is finds it very tasty

One character we might expect Otto to belittle would be transgender.  The transgender male, Malcolm had delivered a paper to Otto, but first he explained that Otto's wife Sonya had been his teacher and had been kind to him.  Otto showed no hesitation in accepting Malcolm and included him in future interactions.

Both films used attitudes towards cars to differentiate people.  The conservative self righteous Ove or Otto made judgments.   In Sweden, Ove was a supporter of Saab while his friend was always buying a Volvo.  In America the choice was Chevrolet vs Ford, but the worst folly in Otto's eyes was imported cars such as Toyota and Volkswagen.  My father  who drove for a living and had won Car rallies told me that the best car he ever drove was a Saab.

Both films depict immigrants as life enhancers for the rest of us.  In the Swedish version they were able to enlist a trained actress from Iran.  The Americans who seem to be concerned about too many Mexicans crossing the border are confronted with a Mexican who adds spice to life.

 A great cast and crew put together a worthy remake.

Tom Hanks spends more time producing than acting.  He manages to combine both disciplines with this film.  He did not get involved in acting until after floundering in efforts in college when a community theatre.  His first film was "Splash" (1988) under Ron Howard and was a box office success.  Another film that propelled him forward was "A League of Their Own" (1992) followed shortly with "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993) and "Philadelphia" (1993) for which he won an Oscar.  "Forest Gump" (1994) won him another Oscar and was a global box office hit.  In 1996 he got into directing with "That Thing That You do" (1996).  In 2002 he became the youngest actor to win the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award.  His film credits include:   "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), "Castaway" (2000), "Saving Mr. Banks" (20130, "Bridge of Spies" (2015),"Sully" (2016), "and "The Post" (2017).   Check a post of an earlier Tom Hanks movie:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/05/bridge-of-spies.html           

Rita Wilson, also shared producing duties and in addition helped write and sing one of the songs.  She started acting with an episode of "The Brady Bunch"  (1972).  She acted in various tv shows, and after two appearances in films with Tom Hanks, started dating and married in 1988 with a Greek wedding.  She produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002) having helped the lead actress and script writer Nia Vardalos the contract becoming a huge money maker.  She starting recording songs in 2012 including songs she wrote.  Her film credits include:  "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), "Larry Crowne" (2011) and six episodes of "The Good Wife" (2011-2014).

Marc Forster, the director and executive producer had been born in Germany, but raised in Switzerland,   He attended the New York University to study film.  He directed Halle Berry to an Oscar in "Monster's Ball" (2001).   His film credits include "Stranger than Fiction" (2006) and "The Kite Runner" (2007).

David Magee wrote the script.  Film credits include "Life of Pi" (2012).

Fredrik Backman, a favorite writer from Sweden wrote the original book "A Man Called Ove"  He was a film producer for another of his books "Anxious People" (2021).  A post for his latest book with links to his other books:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/11/the-winners.html:   

Mariana Trevino played Marisol, the Mexican immigrant that coaxed Otto into a more relaxed lifestyle.  She has been in over 30 films, mostly in Spanish and from Mexico. 

Rachel Keller played Sonya in flashbacks that lightened  up Otto.  Rachel's acted in "Fargo" (2015) the tv. series.        

Much as I admire Tom Hanks I feel that Rolf Lassgard is the more credible not only as a grumpy old man  but as a jovial bumpkin.  In my favorite film, "After the Wedding" (2006) he was also very credible as fast talking business man.  A Swedish native, Rolf has performed in Danish and Norwegian.  Rolf also played Wallander in the tv. series that has been adapted in other nations.

Bahar Pars plays the persistent neighbor who opens up Ove.  She was born in Iran and her family moved to Sweden after the Iran Iraq War.  She trained to be an actress who who has performed on stage, television and films.

Ida Engvoll played Sonja, the wife seen only in flashbacks.  Ida's film credits include "The Bridge" (2015) and as the lead character for "Rebecka Martinsson" .

Remakes of movies are a recognition of something worth viewing.  If you enjoyed either one you will not be disappointed if you get a chance to watch the other.  Tom Hanks is a strong indicator of something worth watching.  The Swedes have a long film tradition that has enriched the world and their film is a good example.

The Winners

 I don't actually like hockey, but I love a good story.  Fredrik Backman with "The Winners" (2022) uses a good story that focuses a lot on hockey.  Politics and social relationships surround any popular activity and Backman has captured the "background" activities and that in fact everything is connected.  

 This book carries on from "Beartown" (2017) http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html  Beartown is a small town in a northern forest area of Sweden.  The town has focused on their hockey team as it provides some excitement as one observer points out a sport team represents the town and when they win the town wins.   It also provides opportunities for politicians and businessmen while attracting lots of social interaction.  The main character is Peter Andersson who played in 4 NHL games in Toronto!  The first book ends after a rape divides the town and forces big changes.

 The sequel "Winners" (2022)  which is many more pages picks up two years later.  There are lots of flashbacks.  Peter Andersson is still a main character, but he feels aimless while his wife, a lawyer has started her own firm in the rival town of Hed where he sort of works.  His daughter who had been raped has moved south to study music and get away from town gossip and resentment.  There are powerful people, both conventional and hoodlum who see opportunities.  Journalism is in to stir up things as well they should. 

The story is as complicated as any mystery, but goes deeper into human relationships.  Many factions wanted to leverage their power including hockey management, business men, politicians, journalists, hoodlums and of course individuals.  More noticeable in this book is a rival hockey club and town, Hed not far away and with interlocking relations apart from trying to win hockey games against each other.  The previous general manager's wife operates a legal firm in Hed and the important goalie for Beartown lives in Hed.  As the story develops there are more relationships.  The arena in Hed is destroyed in a major storm and this opens up various options.  There is concern that the clubs might merge, or that only Beartown would survive or some politicians want to end both clubs and start another one.

The conflicts of the world find their way into the narrative.  As in many countries there is cultural differences between urban and rural areas, the rich and the poor.  There is one gay character who most have accepted (he was a good hockey player), but that the rival team taunts.  There is some reference to mixed races, but again if they are good athletes they win acceptance.  The Beartown A coach is a female and she is tougher than her male colleagues.  Cheating goes on at the game level, but also political maneuvering, some of it illegal is present.  There is a Moral Dilemma (actually more than one) where one character is forced to consider unethical action to rectify an unfair situation.

On one occasion the author refers to Theseus which raised the question of if everything is replaced in an object, is it still the same object.  This author was referring to a hockey rink that had had all its pieces replaced over time.  Reminded me of an earlier blog on the same topic:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/01/ship-of-thesus.html

 What makes the story so compelling is that Backman uses very interesting dialogue, but goes beneath to provide some motivations and human observations.  Hockey is very interesting to many, but more importantly people are interesting and the author is excellent at developing our understanding.     

 Other blogs on Fredrik Backman   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/anxious-people-by-fredrik-backman.html and  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/anxious-people-series.html

This book presented a new challenge for me.  Over the past few years I had fallen into the bad habits of multi tasking which involved snatch reading.  I found myself with an express book and a long waiting lineup.  It is good to concentrate on a book--time flies when you can get absorbed by a compelling story. and I would have to say this one flowed for me.

Anxious People: The Series

 Last year the book was one of my favorites.   It was confusing at the beginning and even seemed trite, but beautifully tied together before the end.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/anxious-people-by-fredrik-backman.html  The tv series "Anxious People" (2021) that I understand was at least partially written by the same author takes a similar tack with the advantage of using flashbacks.

The basic story follows a botched bank robbery attempt (the modern bank actually had no cash on hand).  We flip over to an apartment viewing where the bank robber points a gun at assembled  people.  Gradually we learn what a diverse group who all seem to have differing motives for appearing.  An unusual father and son team of police officers investigates after a contingent from Stockholm pulls out.

We learn the police officers have a drug addicted daughter/sister who suffered many relapses.  The father is more compassionate.  The son at age 13 had witnessed a suicide that also affected one of the other characters.  We learn that one of the characters has been kicked out of her house and threatened with losing custody of two children.  An underlying theme is that life can be pretty harsh and sometimes people can be nice. 

Let's look at some of the people who put it together.

Fredrik Backman wrote the original novel and is credited with the script.  He and his wife Neda were executive producers.  I first learned of Fredrik Backman when a local librarian, Chris recommended the book "Beartown," my favorite read for 2020 which I understand had also been a tv. series written and produced with Backman.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html  A few years before that I had seen "A Man Called Ove" (2017), also written and produced with Backman.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html

Felix Herngren directed.  He has been actor from 1990 until 2022.  He also has been a prolific writer and director.  In 2013 he wrote a directed the Oscar nominated "The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared."  He also wrote and directed a sequel in 2013.

Some of the actors:

 Marika Lagercrantz has appeared in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"  (2009)

 Anna Granath has appeared in "A Man Called Ove" (2015).

Alfred Swensson has appeared in "The 100 Year-old Man Who Climbed Out the  Window and Disappeared (2013).  He also directed, wrote the script and starred in popular series, "Leif and Billy"  (2017-2021)

 The plot is well laid out as we gradually learn about the characters and their often unknown connections.  It may seem trivial at the start, but it makes a point.  We are all connected.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

 Good memories of "Bear Town" and having watched "A Man Called Ove" spurred me  to read the latest book of Fredrik Backman.  At first it seemed very frivolous and "arty."  As pages were turned it turned out to be layered.

A simple story (?) about a messed up bank robbery and an awkward hostage situation.  People meet one another and we discover connections gradually.  The past is always present and steers the future.  You may not be able to hold back a laugh or two. 

The narrative is rendered in different formats.  We think we have a rough idea where this is going and along the way we read some insights that we mostly would agree with, although we seldom give the matters much thought.   It takes awhile (unless you are more observant than me) to catch on to a deeper meaning.

A quote that needs to have context to be appreciated; "We plant an apple tree today, even if we know the world is going to be destroyed tomorrow...We save those we can."  It is worth reading the book including the acknowledgements to understand.

 The book is originally in Swedish and set in that country, but the humans are universal.  The references to Stockholmers can be substituted to your more familiar metaphors.

Normally acknowledgements are skipped or skimmed, but this book offers something unique and something that helps explain the book.  Another book, "Old Age A Beginners Guide"  with a unique acknowledgements:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/03/old-age-beginners-guide.html

I have come to admire the author who was first suggested to me by Chris, a  local librarian.  I liked a movie based on Backman's book and found a co worker who enjoyed the book.  "Bear Town" was about a small hockey town with political and social dynamics, not particularly unusual, but well explained.

"Beartown" is another book well worth reading:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html

A blog on the movie "A Man Called Ove" might interest you as an English version will soon be available. http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html

READING THROUGH 2020

Now that I am retired hope to read more fiction books for enjoyment.  But I still enjoy understanding how the world works.  These are the books I enjoyed this past year.  Most of these books were recommendations or suggestions from others and in one sense I am just passing them on with a little push of my own.

FICTION
  

"Beartown" (2017) written by Fredrik Backman, best known for "A Man Called Ove."   It was recommended by Chris of the Hamilton Library who made it sound like something I had to read, even though I am not a hockey fan.  Check my review:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html  It goes into a wide range of social and business connections in a small town revolving around their prospective champion junior hockey team.

 

 

 

 

"Pride and Prejudice" (1812) by Jane Austen with the classic love story about Mr Darcy and Elizabeth which to me is about a colossal need for an icebreaker.  All romances are based on misunderstandings.  It is unnerving how Austen is able to get inside the heads of her characters.  Her focus is on marriage for money.  Snobbery is common, except with her leading characters.

"City of Thieves" (2008) by David Benioff was recommended by Fareed Zakaria--had written Game of Thrones   based on recollections of a Grandfather who had lived through the Leningrad siege of WW II

The Library closed and I had to look for alternatives.  The library was offering ebooks which I had read before, but due to technical problems gave it up.  Now it seems convenient.

"The Woman in The Window" (2018) by A.J. Finn  Is easy to read as it is m mostly in short paragraphs.  At first it seemed about a person with mental health issues and I wasn't sure if it would be worth while reading it.  There are surprises, a lot of them in that people are not what they seem, including the narrator with mental health issues. 

"Less" (2017) by Andrew San Greer another fiction recommendation by Fareed Zakaria  Quotes for all writers (including bloggers?)  "Boredom is the only real tragedy for a writer; everything else is material"  contrasted in same paragraph, "Boredom is essential for writers; it is the only time they get to write."

"Moon Of the Crusted Snow" (2018) by Waubgeshig Rice was  Hamilton Reads pick  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/hamilton-reads-2020-moon-over-crusted.html  As part of the package the library offered a live online conversation with Waubgeshig and Cherie Dimaline, the author of "Marrow Thieves" (2017) which I read for the Canada Reads program.

 
 

 

 

 

 

"Circling the Sun" (2015) by Paula McLean,  fictional account of Beryl Markham

"The Tatooist of Auschwitz" (20180)by Heather Morris based on a true story including photos of the real people.

"The Fishers of Paradise"(2012)) by Rachel Preston.  I learned about this while walking along the Bayfront Trail on a plaque that stated that there used to be houses along Cootes Paradise and about the book.  It was an interesting story with a ficionalised account of how the houses had been disposed of.   A pleasure reading about streets and buildings I am familiar with.


NON FICTION
  

Michelle Obama's book was long anticipated and worth the wait.  "Becoming' (2020) demonstrates a woman who supported her husband while wishing he didn't get involved with politics.  To her the family was top priority, but as an intelligent, caring person she helped make the world a better place.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/becoming-by-michelle-obama.html

 

 

 

"The Great Leveler" (2017) deals with inequality.  Walter Schiedel  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/the-great-leveler-violence-and.html

"Talking to Strangers" (2019) by Malcolm Gladwell  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/talking-to-strangers.html

"Black Berry /sweet Juice" (2001) by Lawrence Hill  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/black-berry-sweet-juice.html

"The Education of an Idealist" (2019)  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/the-education-of-idealist.html

"They know everything about you." (2015) by Robert Scheer  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/03/they-know-everything-about-you.html

Funny You Don't Look Autistic" (2019) ebook by Michael McCreary  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/funny-you-dont-look-autistic.html

"My Journey" by Olivia Chow(2014)  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/olivia-chow-biography.html

"The Elephant Company" (2014) by Vicki Croke   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/05/the-noble-elephant.html 

"Trust: Twenty Ways to Build a Better Country" (2018).  Written by David Johnston, a former Governor General of Canada.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/05/trust-crucial-foundation-for-democrarcy.html

Trust is the key necessity in interacting.






 

 

 

"A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves Home" (2019) by Jason De Pare, is about migrant workers starting with a Filipino family that the author interacted with stating in 1986.    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/07/a-good-provider-is-one-who-leaves.html

"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" (2011)  by Rebecca Skloot  I was able to see a DVD as well as read the book.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/08/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks.html

"Tough Love" (2020)  by Susan Rice who had been maligned by the right wing and media.  There are a lot of political books out, but this one does not only give interesting information, but also an intelligent perspective. Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/12/susan-rice-tough-love.html

Read about last year's selections:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/books-i-remember-from-2019.html

Beartown

Recommended by Chris, a library advisor; one detail that got my attention was the author had previously written "A Man Called Ove."  Not read the book, but saw the original Swedish movie and did a blog on it.  I also got into a conversation with someone at work who was recommending the book.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html

No matter how dramatic an incident may be, it always comes with a context.   "Beartown illustrates the value of context.   It is human nature to simplify an explanation, but often the complexity is what we need to understand.  Fiction can sometimes point out the impact of seldom noticed factors.  In university I wrestled for awhile with the difference between psychology and sociology.  I fell under the spell of some excellent sociology professors and appreciated that every individual is impacted by social pressures.  At a later time I now appreciate that it is the individual's psychology (which is similar for all humans) that determines how we react and contribute to that social pressure.

Sports books tend to fit a pattern.  Usually hard work leads to an underdog winning.  Teamwork is important, even in individual sports that require coaches and trainers.  Sports are encouraging for people striving for success in any activity.  Sports, in fact acts as a metaphor for success.

The first part of the story seems fairly typical about a sports team culminating in an important victory.  There is a gradual buildup of characterization that expands in the aftermath of the victory.  Struck by how the author seems to understand typical communication problems between parents and their children and between the children, and among the adults.  Hurt feelings, jealousy, hidden feelings are below the surface.

Teamwork is usually lauded as a commendable thing, but another aspect is featured in this narrative.  To one character, the general manager the concept means he has to do something he doesn't want to do.  He is expected to force the man that brought him back to the town after an NHL career, to resign and not be fired (as that would cost money).  Young promising boys are promoted to older age groups when they are not ready, but for the sake of the team.  On the other hand the team provides a feeling of belonging.

A small town with a high interest in hockey, even seeing it as a tool to attract more business.  They disdain "almost winning."  The general manager is surprised to learn that if the junior team loses a semi-final the club will look for different senior coach.  The current likely candidate will have to win the junior title to be considered.

There are many characters that the author wants to develop so we can better appreciate there are multiple dynamics at play.  It may seem there are two sides to a conflict, i.e. those against and those for.  There are some who harbor guilt feelings and others unsure of the truth.

The town is slowly revealed in a wide variety of aspect.  One group known as the Pack does not want modernization as they would not fit in.  Team sponsors hope to get a hockey school which could lead to a shopping mall.  For some it gives pride to a town with little else.

The author sees connections between politics and sport.  As some deny any connection one character (the wife of the hockey general manager and main character) says "What do you think gets rinks built if not politics?

The focal event of the book is a sexual assault by the most promising hockey player against the daughter of the general manager.  There are a lot of people who are bystanders and much larger group of people who feel the impact.  At these times as the author points out people naturally divide others into friends and enemies.  Hate is simpler than love and we tend to seek facts that confirm our belief.  It is natural to dehumanize the enemy.  It takes courage to stand up to it.

Violence in the course of a hockey game is accepted, but when it goes outside the rink is subject to legal address.  That is becoming a little fuzzier.

Part of the context is the future, but that is really a guess.  The author speculates a bit in a somewhat poetic manner.  This has been my most compelling read so far this year.

"A Man Called Ove" a Great movie from Sweden

We all start judging people as soon as we are conscious of them.   It is hard to overcome our initial pre judgment, but everyone is deeper than their appearance.  Movies often dramatize how we are often wrong about our judgment.  "A Man called Ove" from Sweden is a good example that some would call formulaic, but here it is well done and a reminder we are all fallible

Ove is at first sight is hard to like.  He is a grumpy even belligerent nit picker.  Much of it is comic.  At the very beginning you see him deliver flowers to his wife's grave and talk to her giving him a touch of humanity.  He is disgusted with much of the world and wants to join his wife, but his suicide attempts are interrupted

His background is told in flashbacks.  You can see many of his dislikeable characteristics, but he is humanized and you might guess a woman is behind it.  The formula works with Sonja a perky and more sophisticated young woman overcomes his awkwardness.  She sees something in him after a chance meeting, perhaps his honesty (even though he lies to make an impression) and earnestness.

One example of his pettiness is his preference for Saab cars and judging other people's character by what cars they buy.  A close friend drove a Volvo and later a BMW and this really tested their friendship.  My father thought Saab was the best car he had ever driven and had been asked to join their rally team.

Back to the present; an Iranian immigrant woman, Parvanah meets him when her Swedish husband's car backs into Ove's mailbox  She annoys him at first, but she is persistently positive and gifts a Persian treat which he ignores until he eats it out of desperation and likes it.  Her two children make him cringe at first, but over the course of the movie he becomes attached.  This also segways to why he doesn't have children.  Later in the movie when Ove and  Parvanah have formed a friendly relationship as he is teaching her to drive, he calls her husband a loser.  She is a very boisterous and pivotal character..

The ending is not unexpected with everybody appreciating Ove a bit more, although they are not privy to all the flashback information.  It feels so good  I felt compelled to recommend the whole movie as you can't appreciate the ending unless you have seen what led up to it.  A grumpy man has been mellowed with young children loving him.

A first time novel from Fredrik Backman inspired the film.  He is a blogger, a magazine writer and now a novelist with a few best sellers under his belt that have been translated into 25 languages.

Hannes Holm directed and wrote the script.  He started directing in 1987 and writing scripts in 1995.  He acted in films starting in 1981.

Rolf  Lassgard appeared in my favourite movie "After the Wedding," a Danish Oscar nominated movie.   He played a benevolent manipulator and won at least one award for it.  He is also known for playing Kurt Wallander.  He played Ove with a lot of bluster, but also subtlety.

Bahar Pars was born in Iran but came to Sweden in 1989 after the Iranian-Iraq war.  Her acting career is all in Sweden.  She played the title characters in both "Anna Karenina" and "Hedda Gabler" on stage.  She also directed two short films; the second after this film she also wrote and produced.  It concerns a black woman asked to do a voice over for an advertisement that tries to steer her to a stereotypical role.

Ida Engvoll  plays Ove's wife seen only in flashbacks.    She brought a lot of energy as she had to make up for Ove's shyness.  She plays a title role in"Rebecka Martinsson"  tv series and also in some episodes of tv show I had seen earlier "The Bridge" a joint Danish-Swedish production.

The younger Ove was played by Filip Berg who like many Swedish actors gets most of his experience in television series.  He played a strait-laced man trying to make an impression on a vivacious woman.  He was a good complement to the older Rolf Lassgard.

The background music was provided by Gaute Storass, a Norwegian.  A few songs in Swedish and English helped set the mood.

Goran Hallberg was the cinematographer and had also worked on "The 100 Year Old Man who climbed out the window and disappeared."  Back in 2004 he filmed "ABBA:  Our Last Video Ever"

The editor Fredrik Morhedan has done over 40 films.  He was a creator for a popular Swedish tv series, "Blue Eyes"

A husband and wife team of Love Larson and Eva Von Bahr were nominated for an Oscar for best costume and makeup.  It was actually their second such nomination.  The earlier one was for "The Hundred year old man who climbed out the widow and disappeared."  I had seen that movie and even watched a special feature showing how they applied makeup to create the 100 year old in nine stages of aging--they had to speed up the camera as it was a very long elaborate process.  They had done some other interesting films--the Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy plus one of the English versions plus the Wallander series in Sweden and Britain.  In addition they worked on "Skyfall."  In Sweden film makers had not opted for expensive digital cleanup so that makeup crews had to be available during the shooting.  These two movies have made me appreciate makeup can have an important impact on a movie.

The producing team was headed by Nicklas Wikstrom Nicastra and Annica Bellander.  Nicklas had been a producer for over 10 films while this was only the third for Annica who had worked in the marketing department for several films.

If you are looking for a serious movie with a few laughs and leave you feeling good, this is good choice.  If you are sick of formula movies then maybe you wouldn't miss it, but really your enjoyments are rare and you should reconsider.