By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.75 cats
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Starring: Bjørn Floberg | Bjørn Sundquist | Gard B.Eidsvold | Jorunn Kjellsby | Stellan Skarsgård
Original language title: En ganske snill mann
Country: norway
Year: 2011
Running time: 105
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1386683/
Jason says: “The phrase ‘returning to the scene of the crime’ is generally used during the investigation of a mystery, but if you take a broader view of what the ‘scene’ is, almost every criminal does it eventually. It’s just that in many cases, it’s after prison, and even if your hometown is filled with the things that got you in trouble in the first place, where else are you going to go? It’s a funny situation, somewhere on the border of weird and amusing, at least in this case.
“As the movie starts, Ulrik (Stellan Skarsgard) is being replaced from prison after twelve years, although there’s no-one to meet him; everybody seems to have thought it would be later in the week. Still, his former boss Rune Jensen (Bjorn Floberg) helps out some – he finds Ulrik a room to rent and a job as a mechanic. He also points out that Kenny (Henrik Mestad), the man who sold Ulrik out to the cops is still in town, and wouldn’t Ulrik like to balance accounts. Honestly, though, all he really wants is to stay out of trouble and maybe reunite with his son Geir (Jan Gunnar Roise).
“There have been a lot of movies about people just out of prison, trying to re-enter society, but what A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN does particularly well is show how Ulrik doesn’t take even the smallest things for granted after his time ‘away.’ There’s an unusual lack of cringe-worthy awkwardness to the scenes where Ulrik reunites with his son – it’s awkward, certainly, but in a way that says both want it to go well, as opposed to the usual ‘how is he going to screw it up’ vibe. And take some early scenes where Ulrik’s new landlady Karen Margrethe (Jorunn Kjellsby) brings a television into his room and hooks it up, followed by him trying to adjust the picture and finally being delighted by what he finds. The normal line might be a snobbish ‘you’re free now, don’t waste your time on that,’ but instead we see a man free to enjoy movies, music, and contests if he wants.
“The joy Skarsgard portrays in those scenes is a bit infectious, a welcome counterpoint to the uncertainty he gives Ulrik much of the rest of the time. Ulrik is not a talkative guy, and writer Kim Fupz Aakeson never gives him a speech about what he learned in prison or how he’s going to live a better life now, but Skarsgard never makes the character more of an enigma than necessary. His face is often an open book, glowing with pride as he discusses his soon, and showing doubt and discomfort as Jensen leads him toward criminal activities. There’s a dour professionalism tinged with regret when his darker nature comes out. He’s also surprisingly funny – comedy isn’t exactly what Skarsgard is known for in his English-language roles, at least – but he gives a double take at every place he can no longer smoke, stammers amusingly when caught between jealous women, and combines with Kjellsby for some of the more memorable comedic sex scenes you’ll ever see.
“Kjellsby isn’t the only one who plays off him with style. Floberg – often partnered with Gard Eidsvold as a comic sidekick – hits
just the right note as a criminal who clearly isn’t what he once was (or thinks he should be), with just enough edge to the role that, although we maybe don’t see him as a present-day threat, there’s something about his pettiness that makes him a bit more than a comic villain. Bjorn Sundquist and Jannike Kruse are another interesting pair, as the owner and receptionist at the garage where Ulrik gets his job – there’s chemistry between them somewhere between a crush and paternal concern, with Sundquist getting laughs from Sven’s tendency to run on while Kruse does a nice job of exposing something odd and tender underneath Merete’s initial standoffishness.
“Director Hans Petter Moland does a nice job of riding herd over this large cast of characters and Aakeson’s script. The movie is, to quote the poster, ‘a dark feel-good comedy,’ and Moland does a nice job of navigating the middle road there, making sure that the oddness around Ulrik tilts toward off-kilter rather than zany or outright disturbing. Sometimes the script gets a little muddled – there’s a section in the middle that drags a bit, the ending may not catch everyone just right, and Ulrik gets rather more sex than you might expect for someone in his position – but the good bits generally counter that quite well. Moland and Aakeson also do a remarkably good job of gradually revealing characters’s pasts and connections without the various revelations winding up more interesting than crucial – it creates detail and understanding without making it be about solving a mystery. The backdrop of a Norwegian winter seems particularly apt, as well, with all the snow that’s supposed to be beautiful blackened and twisted by car exhaust and rain.
“There’s darkness to A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN, but Moland is able to inject bits of hope into it without making the atmosphere seem simplistic or compromised. It’s a surprisingly warm film even when you might expect it to be cold. 4 cats
“Seen 1 March 2011 in Landmark Kendall Square #8 (first-run)”
Julie says: “As usual Jay does an excellent job in reviewing this movie. While I made the mistake of waiting until now to read his review and give my additional comments (I saw this movie a little while back), I do not recall the movie dragging and frankly, I really don’t see how the movie could have ended any other way. This movie had it all. Dark, funny, feel good. You’ll be surprised. As Jeff Pike so aptly pointed out, it’s fun to see how the ‘somewhat’ qualifier plays out. 5 cats”
Amanda says: “I agree with Julie. I thought it was very good. Maybe not 5 cats but certainly 4 or 4 1/2 (Though I saw it with the sound off while the baby was sleeping — I’m sure sound would have enhanced my viewing experience!)”
Toni says: “5 cats here as well for A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN. What a uniquely bittersweet comedy with comically awkward sex scenes and a unique set of quirky characters that all fit together. This one pairs well with LE HAVRE but to me this was the film it should have been when playing out until the end.”
Beth C. says: “Thanks to my Chlotrudiites for recommending that I see this before nominations.
“I am a HUGE fan of Stellan Skarsgaard to begin with (after his superb performance in BREAKING THE WAVES). This is an entirely different role for him, and he NAILS IT! The entire cast deserves a nomination, as does the director, Molland. I loved the story, the dark humor, the absurdity, and I can’t help but love the fact that this guy gets laid wherever he goes, despite his less-than-traditionally-attractive appearance! 5 cats.”