Er, what more can I say other than I have an incurable and irrational addiction to 80's things...
Er, what more can I say other than I have an incurable and irrational addiction to 80's things...
Member since:24.08.2001
Reviews:95
Members who trust:27
Possibly the best film about a 70's Scandinavian hippy commune ever made (probably the only one ever to be made), 'Together' is one of the finest pieces of Swedish cinema you'll ever see (and only one ABBA song to boot).
A subtle film where you'll see no guns, bombs or explosion, it centres on 'Tillsammans' (literally 'Together' in Swedish), a community of free-thinking individuals. A fragmented bunch involving two couples, one separated couple, a political fanatic and a gay man (as well as a child called 'Tet' named after the Vietnam War offensive), the community drink, smoke, eat vegetable stew and talk Marxism. Meat is banned, whilst nudity is acceptable (providing there is a fungal infection present...).
The main character, nice-guy Goran (Gustaf Hammarsten), receives a phone call one day from his sister Elizabeth (Lisa Lindgren) asking for an escape route from her abusive relationship with her husband Rolf (Michael Nyqvist). Despite objections from some of the others (free love will only go so far), she moves in along with her two loner children, dejected and depressed.
The film develops each of the commune's characters, and there is a number of funny scenes, not least between Elizabeth's eldest daughter and the ordinary boy-next-door as they gradually explore their adult liking for each other. Both loners, despite an attempt by Goran's swinging wife Lena (Anja Lundqvist) to seduce the bespectacled youngster (strangely reminiscent of Roly off 'Grange Hill'), they eventually build up a strong friendship with each other.
Lena also gives the ever-accepting Goran anguish by also bedding Erik (Olle Sarri), the political fanatic, who eventually leaves the commune due to the lack of appreciation by the group for the intensity of his radical beliefs.
As the story develops, the relationships between the group develops. One of then women, Anna (Jessica Liedberg) develops a crush on Elizabeth, who explores freedom outside marriage for the very first time. Also quite touching is the development of the relationship between the repressed and unaccepted Stefan, Elizabeth's son, and the drinking, smoking 8 year old Tet. Especially good is the 'torture' game that they play. modelled on the actions of General Pinochet in Chile, and the tales of LEGO being banned in the commune on the basis that they are a capitalist company.
We also see the agony and slump into acoholism of Rolf, as he tries to pick up the pieces of his life. His good intentions end up making things worse for him, as he gone down even further in the eyes of his two children. However, an encounter with a fellow lonely man results in him beginning to turn his life around, and allows him to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
By the end of the film, the relationship between several of the characters has changed, although I won't spoil the surprise by going into any detail...
The references to 70's culture are quite apparent; the clothes, the political attitudes and the freedom lifestyles. The film is very high on the feelgood factor (eventually), although it manages to do so without the saccharine 'I love you Mommy' ending of most American films.
Extremely well acted, especially by Lindgren and Nyqvist, 'Together' is advisable to all who enjoy a good slowburning scenario, which is character-driven rather than an explosion-a-minute big-budget film.
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Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Full of snow, sex, Volvos and ABBA,Togethermay at first appear to be a trawl through every ... more
Swedish cliché in the book, but is in fact a delightful, absorbing movie. Set in Stockholm in the winter of 1975 it tells of mother of two Elisabeth and her move...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Full of snow, sex, Volvos and ABBA,Togethermay at first appear to be a trawl through every ... more
Swedish cliché in the book, but is in fact a delightful, absorbing movie. Set in Stockholm in the winter of 1975 it tells of mother of two Elisabeth and her move...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
1975. Sweden. Tired of her abusive husband, Elisabeth packs her bags and moves with her ... more
children to her brother's commune, Together. As a fairly ordinary housewife from the suburbs, the commune's freewheeling attitudes towards sex and politics will ope...
![Together [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78537371.jpg "Together [DVD] [2001]")
Aug 30th, 2001
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