‘A Man Called Ove’
Reading Time: 2 minutes
I purchased Fredrik Backman’s 2012 book, ‘A man called Ove’, as it looked quirky enough to read over Christmas – New Year. But as the festive season is also the lazy season, we watched the 2017 film of the same name, and based on this book, instead.
Released in Sweden in late 2015, the film went on to be nominated for two Academy Awards and won several European film awards. It is described as a Comedy/Drama and even as simply a Comedy by SBS (we watched it on SBS on Demand).
While admittedly it is quite funny at times, it is much more of a poignant captivating drama. But perhaps I should concede that it is a good comedy as the film did win the European Film Award for Best European Comedy.
While admittedly it is quite funny at times, it is much more of a poignant captivating drama. But perhaps I should concede that it is a good comedy as the film did win the European Film Award for Best European Comedy.
It is the story of Ove, an elderly widowed man (played by Rolf Lassgard), who bemuses and annoys other residents of his estate by his overly officious policing of rules and regulations. However, his life begins to change when new friendly neighbours move in across the road, a Swedish man and his pregnant Persian wife (Babar Pars).
The storyline gradually peels back Ove’s secretive unfriendly veneer to reveal how he came to be the man he had become. His story is fascinating, and while at times humorous, it is a tale of misfortune, love and loss. Ida Engvoll is a delight to watch playing Ove’s wife Sonja.
The storyline gradually peels back Ove’s secretive unfriendly veneer to reveal how he came to be the man he had become. His story is fascinating, and while at times humorous, it is a tale of misfortune, love and loss. Ida Engvoll is a delight to watch playing Ove’s wife Sonja.
Above all, this intriguing film demonstrates how the kindness and care of strangers can penetrate and repair the damaged isolation of others.
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