Our take
Based on Fredrick Backman’s 2012 best-selling book of the same name, this Swedish hit comedy-drama introduces us to Ove, an elderly man who feels like his life is over. After losing his wife, the short-fused retiree spends his days grumpily enforcing block association rules in his neighborhood. He is your typical unhappy, old neighbor, somebody you would try to avoid. One new family does not give up and befriends Ove, played by an impeccable Rolf Lassgård, despite his best intentions to put them off. As the plot unfolds, however, you learn more about the story behind the man, and, in classic walk-a-mile-in-his-shoes fashion, start to find him rather loveable. After all, nobody is born grumpy and cynical. Naturally, this is a sweet and sentimental film. But an amazing lead performance and a charming, darkly funny script rescue it from drifting too far off the shore. The result is a wholesome, fun, and thoughtful dramedy with a beautiful message.
What it won
Other
1 nom
The story
Despite being deposed as president of his condominium association, grumpy 59-year-old Ove continues to watch over his neighbourhood with an iron fist. When pregnant Parvaneh and her family move into the terraced house opposite Ove and she accidentally back into Ove’s mailbox, it sets off a series of unexpected changes in his life.
Elsewhere
"Not a film to change your view of the world or anything like that, but certainly a pleasant enough sit."
— David Jenkins
"Holm tweaks expectations with the way he presents the material, and his grip on the film's tricky, tragicomic tone is masterful."
— Odie Henderson
Streaming arrival
Love this movie. It did my heart good. Over is a sympathetic character and you can’t help but love his cantankerousness.
So emotional. I started with reading its book that encourage me to watch the film.
Perfect movie for when the hustle bustle of the world makes us forget to keep in touch with our emotions. This is a homing beacon for those feelings.
For 7 years i lived in Sweden and this movie brings back sweet and kind memories. I use to show this movie to visitors who also love to watch it. I do the Swedish version with subtitles.