Paul Magne Haakonsen
I will start by saying that running at 2 hours, which was a bit too long, "Lust och Fägring Stor" (aka "All Things Fair") is a movie that is somewhat of an acquired taste. I found the movie to be interesting and well-told, although it could have used a trimming to cut Down a lot of the unnecessary fillings.The story is about a 15 year old student who seduces his 37 year old classroom teacher. The story is set in Sweden during the 2nd World War in 1943.The movie has some good acting performances, and it is carried nicely by the two lead talents Johan Widerberg and Marika Lagercrantz. And they were joined by an equally strong supporting act by Thomas Von Brömssen."Lust och Fägring Stor" deals with the taboo of love and lust between an adolescent and an adult, which might be a bit too much for some people. But it also deals with sibling love between brothers, as well as the journey from adolescence to adulthood.This is one of the more hard-punching movies in Swedish cinema. Some might even claim that the movie appeals to a very select audience. But I would say that if you enjoy cinema with a deeper profound story and meaning then you should take two hours to watch "Lust och Fägring Stor".
Bloke without a Favourite Colour
I may write one or more spoilers below.This film is absolutely superb. I have watched literally thousands of films, and this is one of the very best, if not *the* best film I have ever seen. But out of 656 votes for this film that have appeared on this site at the time of writing, only 135 of them are a 10 (out of 10). (I voted for this film and gave it a 10 of course.) So evidently a lot of people disagree with me. Why is this? I don't know, but I suspect strongly the fact that this film is not in English and has no actor or actress in it who is a star in the English-speaking world is part of the answer.Anyway, on to why this film is perhaps the greatest of all time. Well, first, it has an absolutely enthralling, extremely enjoyable, absorbing, logical, and coherent plot in which one totally loses oneself. But a lot of films have that. It also has completely believable, realistic, three-dimensional, fully fleshed-out, fascinating, irresistible, absolutely delicious characters of great psychological depth who the viewer really cares about and whose actions, thoughts, feelings, and situations one can strongly sympathise and deeply identify with. Other films have that. It is filmed in a truly magnificent, highly technically-proficient, beautiful, elegant, and satisfying style. But several other films have that too. It has an important, fundamental, universal and very human theme. A few other films, perhaps, have that as well. But this film, triumphantly, also has superlative direction and world-beating actors and actresses who are completely at ease and comfortable with their roles which they seem to slip into effortlessly, and whose performances have never been bettered and are all the more remarkable considering the age of some of them. And, as if all this were not enough, this film is at all times open, innocent, honest, and consistent, and at no times hackneyed, cowardly, patronising, or self-censoring. I'm not sure any other film has all these qualities in addition to all of the ones aforementioned.This is not like most films, which, however believable and realistic, are still obviously films: staged productions with endings already pre-set from the beginning and people who aren't living out their own real lives but are instead acting out the imaginary lives of fictitious personalities. No, this, more than being merely entirely believable and realistic, is moreover like a slice of real life actually being carried out as you are watching it by real people who are living out their own real lives.This film is, in short, an absolute must-see, especially, perhaps, for youngsters. It goes to prove, once and for all, that, contrary to what many people seem to think, there is more to non-English-language films than just Seven Samurai. Moreover, it is yet another example that demonstrates the fact that English-language films are, in general, vastly inferior, and that those lazy, nationalistic, tunnel-visioned viewers who refuse to read subtitles are missing out on a veritable Babette's Feast of viewing pleasure, and may be watching their films in widescreen, but are choosing them while wearing blinkers.----------------Comments on the above review are always appreciated, especially those from people who have seen this film.
GMeleJr
Bo Widerberg was honored in February 1997 at the Miami Film Festival with a retrospective (ELVIRA MADIGAN), and his latest (last?) film, the Oscar nominated ALL THINGS FAIR. I then saw ALL THINGS FAIR for the second time, and despite its length, enjoyed it as much or more than the first time I saw it in an arthouse theatre in Toronto. I think ALL THINGS FAIR is the great Swedish director's best, most personal film. You can't help but notice it must be autobiographical by the passion and the vivid recreation of WW II Sweden, as it was when Mr. Wideberg himself was the lead character's age. Speaking of him, the lead is the director's own 17 year old son, Johan Widerberg, who will undoubtedly carry on the family tradition in Swedish cinema history. Mr. Widerberg (Sr.) passed away last year, and among his legacy, this film stands out. It is a rare coming of age story in a setting seldom depicted on screen. Mr. Wideberg's screenplay, and direction, plus excellent performances by his son and two of Sweden's greats, Marika Lagerkrantz and Tomas van Bromssen make this a movie every European film buff should watch. It's now available on video. Check it out.
