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A man called Ove - film review



The local library yielded yet another golden find.  This is a Swedish production from a Swedish director with lead roles by Swedish actors.

A story about a grumpy old man called Ove, who has given up on life.  Perhaps a story about procrastinating death.  Or being completely bad at killing oneself?

Regardless it is a dark comedy that completely captures you and makes you root for this stubborn and nasty human being.  I see myself exhibiting many a characteristics of this aged and frustrated man who is the protagonist of the film.  To him the world is full of idiots.  Amen.

It is the story of a man who grows up singularly focused on doing the right thing, a cultural legacy I think while saying very little.  The movie weaves the viewer through the life of this once young kid who grows up stoic facing many a challenge, losing his parents relatively young age.  He goes on to meet a woman that captures his heart on a train.  Eventually marrying and having a wonderful life traveling with her only to see them lose their unborn child in an accident.

He pulls himself out of this funk courtesy his amazingly strong but now handicapped spouse and sets out to enrich both their lives in spite of their loss.  Finally the wife dies leaving him all alone.

The next chapter opens in Ove's life when his new neighbors move in.  The wife is Persian - Swedish, played by Bahar Pars who does an amazing job with the role.  She reminded me of Deepti Naval in Chashme Baddoor - similar pig tails and big brown eyes.  Pregnant when she arrives she befriends this reticent old man and wins him over.  She learns to drive with his help and gets him to watch her two young girls when she is busy.

A funny quote and there are many in this film - Bahar's character says to Ove  "I was thinking..." and he immediately quips "stop boasting."

The story is also about trains and cars and the mechanics of life itself.  It has managed to showcase a cross section of humanity from gays to handicaps to economic class and does it with no fuss and all class.  Fun and endearing to watch.
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