Britt-Marie var här

The film is a well set drama which is methodically paced and is indeed easy viewing. The characters are relatable and the story is not only unpredictable but leaves you with a smile at the end. Worth watching.

Your opinion of this film probably does depend on if you've read the book. I did read it and to be honest didn't love it but nearly everything I did like is missing from the film. Firstly the Britt in the book was far more disfuntional and clueless but this was what drew you to her and made you like her. Then the next best thing was her relationship and reliance on the person who arranged the job that she took. This was such a pivotal part of the story that it would be like making a film of the Titanic but never mentioning that it's a boat. I realise you cannot use everything that's in a book but to leave such an important part where so much of the humour came from is such an own goal it's ludicrous. What your left with is a film that is very serviceable and workman like but with very little else.

As other people have pointed out here, the book gives you more layers and background information and the film would probably work best if you read the book first, that way, you will be able to understand what's going on much better.

The acting was wonderful, the casting spot on. The children were delightful and not over the top.

So many aspects of the book had to be stripped out in order for a relatively linear story to survive and make sense in just 97 minutes. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the film immensely, watching it in Swedish with subtitles. The way the Swedes talk to each other, e.g. very simple, bare, stripped down reactions, underlines the emotional intensity. They might not say much, but there's a lot bubbling inside them - and this would be better understood if one had read the book first.

Throughout the film, I was rooting for Britt-Marie. I adore films where repressed and downtrodden characters slowly unfold - like a chrysalis turning into a butterfly.

What I would like to read now is a book called "What Britt-Marie Did Next". I feel there is more potential in that character.

The movie has a message. There are subtleties that, no doubt, were better explored in the book (as other reviewers here note), but were adequately explained in the movie. I don't usually care for 'feel good' movies, but this one was subtle, well-acted, had many decent, likable characters, and kept my interest. I certainly wouldn't call it - as some reviewers have - 'comedic', but it was uplifting. And when the message sinks in, it sinks in deeply (at least in my case).

Even though it doesn't capture the complexity of Britt-Maries character, presented in the book this is still a charming little movie about the angst getting old alone and all of a sudden having to build your own life after living 40 years for someone else.